Time: Ziwa

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Ziwans use the Gregorian calendar. However, within that daily routine great importance is paid to the rising and setting of the sun. Ziwa's proximity to the equator means there is little difference in the hours of daylight seen in the Summer or Winter. 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; the Ziwans 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. They will do so, 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, it 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 should be straightforward. Attempting to impose a Western approach to time will benefit either party. This is the case in the cities as well as the countryside.

Time Zone Observed - GMT/UTC +3 (East Africa Time - EAT) DST NOT observed.

Meals Many Ziwans 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.

Ziwa National Holidays

Date	Holiday
1 Jan	New Year's Day
16 May	Independence Day

Harvest Cycles take into consideration the rainy seasons, and to a lesser extent the solar cycles.

Amari’s seasons 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.

Elections

Unlike countries with statutory election dates, elections in DATE Africa countries do not occur on pre-defined day. Either by constitution or custom, they occur sometime within a generally set period and are announced just a few weeks in advance.