What Eid al-Fitr Looks Like Around Africa

Most countries in Africa take part in this three-day celebration which marks the end of a month long fasting — Ramadan.

This religious celebration is observed as a public holiday in most parts of the continent and rightfully so as 43.3% of Africa’s population are Muslims. It is a day of communion, merriment and gift giving. The streets are vibrant with festivities and people in stylish garbs making their way to visit loved ones or get together at lively functions. Celebrations vary in different countries.

Kenya

Muslims gather for Eid prayers. Eastleigh Nairobi. ©Sarah Waiswa

Thousands of Muslims gather at Kibera primary school for prayers. ©Bryan Otieno

Nigeria

(L-R) Emir of Kano pays homage to his mother on the second day of Eid. ©Hawwa Khaleel — Grandchildren of the Emir kneel for prayers. ©BBC Hausa (Kano, Nigeria)

(L-R) A portrait of three men dressed in celebration of Eid. ©Stephen Tayo — A family takes a selfie during Eid celebrations in a park. ©AP (Lagos, Nigeria)

Comoros

Muslims walk the streets of Moroni during Eid al-Fitr. Comoros. ©Moudou

Somalia

(L-R) Somalis take part in Eid al-Fitr prayers on a football pitch. ©Mohamed Abdiwahab — Young women take a group selfie with orphanage kids during Eid celebrations. ©Rodo Mise (Mogadsihu, Somalia)

Muslims gather at the Hargeisa stadium for Eid prayers. Hargeisa, Somalia. ©Mustafa Saeed

Senegal

(L-R) A family sits on the beach awaiting prayer time. ©Cemil Oksuz — People gather at the Grande Mosque at the end of Ramadan. ©Gemma Parellada (Dakar, Senegal)

A portrait of stylish twins. Dakar, Senegal. ©Culturax — Men sit under a shade to pray at the annual Korité Jamalahi gathering. Yoff, Dakar. ©Layenne Digital

Egypt

A man sits with his daughter on a prayer mat. Cairo, Egypt. ©Omar Shebl

(L-R) Kids have fun in an amusement park during Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Cairo, Egypt. ©Ali Mok — Egyptian Muslims celebrate Eid at Al-Sayed Al-Badawi Mosque in Tanta, Egypt. ©Samer Abdallah

Ghana

Kids at a mall during Eid celebrations. Accra, Ghana. ©Mawuli Adjabeng

Sudan

(L-R) People sit in an open field for prayers. Omdurman, Sudan. ©Ala Kheir — A portrait of two stylish men. Khartoum, Sudan. ©Saifullah Musa

Burkina Faso

A portrait of three kids in their stylish outfit; A woman prepares a meal for Eid celebrations. Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. ©Fatou Toure

South Africa

Muslims from different ethnic backgrounds converge for the first ever mass in Boo-kap, Cape Town. ©Mikhail Adam Motala

Guinea

Men gather for Eid prayers. Labe, Guinea. ©Ibrahima Baldé

Sierra Leone

People assemble in public spaces for Eid prayers. Freetown, Sierra Leone. ©Culled from Instagram page ‘This is Sierra Leone’

Happy Eid al-Fitr celebration.

Images were curated by Chika Okoli. Follow For Africans on Instagram and Tumblr.