DATE Africa Regional Time
All DATE Africa countries use the Gregorian calendar. However, within that daily routine great importance is paid to the rising and setting of the sun. As is common in equatorial Africa, none of the regional countries observe Daylight Savings Time (DST).
Whilst Western approaches to time are o’clock, or by the clock; regional attitudes towards time are the opposite. In many rural areas some of the elder population might not even have access to a clock or watch. However, their apparent lack of concern for clock time should not be mistaken for an inability to accomplish key tasks. The local populations will commit energy to their tasks with great industry, on their timetable, to achieve their own goals.
Across the whole region there is a much more flexible approach to time. ‘Africa time’ is very much a thing. In short, Africa time means things will happen when they happen; there is no point worrying about what might be. For example; you cannot control the rain, if it rains and crops grow, so be it. Conversely, if it doesn’t rain they will not grow. You cannot plan to harvest crops which depend on rain because you cannot control the rain.
Once the differing approach to time is understood, business with the Amari should be straightforward. Attempting to rush them, or impose a Western approach to time will not be of benefit to either US forces or the host nation. This is the case in the cities as well as the countryside.
Time Zone Observed - UTC +3 (East Africa Time - EAT) DST NOT observed.
Meals Many Amaris only eat one main meal a day. This would be a late dinner usually between 7 and 8 in the evening. More of a western-style meal schedule can be found in the cities.
Breakfast: 6-9 am
Lunch: 12-1 pm
Dinner: 7-8 pm
Work Week - The typical work week is Monday to Saturday, totaling 45 hours per week, with 8 hour workdays Monday to Friday and 5 hours on Saturday. Sunday is usually taken off.
Holidays - Besides the standard Christian and Muslim religion holidays, Other celebrations and festivals revolve around the harvest cycles.
| Date | Holiday |
| 1 Jan | New Year's Day |
Harvest Cycles take into consideration the rainy seasons, and to a lesser extent the solar cycles.
Seasonal milestones center around the long rains and the short rains, which alternate with two distinct dry seasons. Most of the country experiences the long rains from approximately March through May, the short rains during September through December, and intervening dry seasons in June through August and January through February. In the central highlands, the two rains merge into one long rainy season from March through December, with a single dry season during January through March. The hottest months are January through March, while the coolest are July through August. Temperatures usually vary more from day to night than from season to season.
Nomadic Migration Cycles
Nomadic groups will synchronize their movements based on the birthing cycles of their herds and flocks, climatic seasons, and solar cycles.
Elections
Unlike the United States, parliamentary elections do not occur on pre-defined day of the year, e.g. the first Tuesday in November. These will vary according to the constitutional specifications, they must occur sometime within a set period and are usually announced just a few weeks in advance.