Time: Amari

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Amaris use the Gregorian calendar. However, within that daily routine great importance is paid to the rising and setting of the sun. Since Amari straddles the equator, there is little difference in the amount of daylight seen in the Summer or Winter.

Whilst Western approaches to time are o’clock, or by the clock; the Amari 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. Amaris will do so, with great industry, on their timetable to achieve their own goals.

They are not alone in this approach to time.  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 Amari. This is the case in the cities as well as the countryside.

Key Dates, Time Periods, or Events

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.

Other National Holidays observed in Amari are:

Date	Holiday
1 Jan	New Year's Day
21 Mar	Spring Celebration
23 June	Independence Day
	Constitution Day
	Unity 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 the United States, Amari elections do not occur on pre-defined day of the year, e.g. the first Tuesday in November. According to the constitution, they must occur sometime within a six year period and are announced just a few weeks in advance.