Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TABASKI
Two weeks before Tabaski, sheep prices steeply rise, as every family is expected to provide one during the celeb-
rations. Those who cannot afford a sheep are socially embarrassed and most will do anything to scrape together
the money. One-third of the slaughtered animal is supposed to be given to the poor, one-third to friends, and one-
third is left for the family. If you are invited to a Tabaski meal (it usually takes place after prayers at the mosque),
you'll be participating in Muslim West Africa's most important and festive day of the year. It's celebrated with
particular colour (and cavalry processions) in Kano (Nigeria), but is also a festive time in Senegal, Niger,
Cameroon and Mali. Here and elsewhere during Tabaski (and during Eid al-Fitr and the other Islamic holidays),
you'll see entire families dressed in their finest clothes, strolling in the streets or visiting the mosque.
Other Holidays
In addition to the Islamic ceremonies, there are many public holidays - either government or religious - when busi-
nesses and government offices are closed. Public holidays vary from country to country, but some - including Christmas
and New Year's Day - are observed throughout the region. Government holidays are often marked with parades, dan-
cing and other such events, while the Christian religious holidays invariably centre on beautiful church services and
singing.
Telephone
Telephone and fax connections to places outside West Africa are reasonably good, as the transmission is usually via
satellite. Calls between African countries, however, are often relayed on landlines or through Europe, which means the
reception is frequently bad - assuming you can get a call through in the first place. Things are improving, but slowly.
The best places to make international calls (unless you have a fast internet connection and telephone through Skype or
other software from your laptop or, less privately, at an internet cafe) are at government telephone offices or private tele-
centres, which you'll find in most towns. International calls using local mobile SIM cards can also work out cheaper
than landlines.
Costs for international calls and faxes to Europe, the USA or Australasia start at about US$1 per minute, with a few
countries offering reduced rates at night and on weekends.
Dial-direct or 'home-direct' numbers are available from a few countries. With these, you dial an operator in your
home country who can reverse the charges, or charge the call to a phone-company charge card or your home number.
These home-direct numbers are toll free, but if you are using a phone booth you may need a coin or phonecard to con-
nect. Check with your phone company for access numbers and a list of countries where they have home-direct numbers.
Fax
Most cities and large towns have public telephone offices at the post office where you can make international calls and
send faxes. There are also private telecommunications centres in major towns and cities throughout the region. Sending
a fax from a hotel is much more expensive.
Mobile Phones
Mobile (cell) phones are everywhere in West Africa, to such an extent that many privately run telephone offices have
closed down. In most countries, local SIM cards are readily available from street vendors in any town reached by mobile
coverage; top-up cards are similarly widely available. If you prefer not to use your own phone, or your mobile hasn't
