In Guinea-Bissau, two distinct seasons, the dry season and the rainy season, have developed closely connected to traditional events and culture. Below is a summary of the climatic characteristics and major events and culture by season.
Spring (March to May)
Climate Characteristics
- March-April: Almost dry season with little rainfall, average temperatures around 24-30°C ([Wikipedia][1])
- May: The first half of the rainy season begins, with rainfall gradually increasing.
Major Events and Culture
| Month |
Event |
Details and Relationship with Climate |
| March |
Bissau Carnival |
A three-day festival adorned with masks and drums under stable sunny weather during the dry season. ([54 Magazine][2]) |
| April |
Easter |
An important religious event for Christians. Church services are held in the calm climate of the dry season. |
| May |
Cashew Harvest Festival |
Celebrates the peak harvest of cashews, the country's main export. Held during the transition from the dry season to the light rainy period. |
Summer (June to August)
Climate Characteristics
- June-September: The start of the rainy season with a significant increase in precipitation, most of the annual rainfall (around 2000mm) occurs during this time ([Wikipedia][3])
- Temperatures are high and humidity is prevalent, ranging from 25 to 28°C.
Major Events and Culture
| Month |
Event |
Details and Relationship with Climate |
| June |
Rice Planting Festival |
A ceremony that celebrates the start of rice cultivation, utilizing the abundant rainfall of the early rainy season. |
| July |
Tabanka (Traditional Festival) |
Traditional festivals held by each village during the interruptions of the rainy season, praying for abundance through dance and song. |
| August |
Pidgiti Memorial Festival |
Commemorates the 1959 Pidgiti port strike, solemnly celebrated amidst thunderous rains of the rainy season. |
Autumn (September to November)
Climate Characteristics
- September: Peak of the rainy season.
- October-November: Decrease in rainfall, transitioning to the dry season by the end of November.
Major Events and Culture
| Month |
Event |
Details and Relationship with Climate |
| September |
Independence Day |
Celebrated on September 24. Celebrates independence with military parades and fireworks under overcast and rainy weather at the end of the rainy season. ([Wikipedia][4]) |
| October |
Ancestor Worship Festival |
A traditional memorial ceremony for ancestors. Honors are paid in the village cemetery with residual moisture from the rainy season. |
| November |
All Saints' Day |
A Catholic holiday. Church pilgrimages and grave visits take place in stable weather before entering the dry season. |
Winter (December to February)
Climate Characteristics
- December to May of the following year: Dry season with almost no rainfall, a Harmattan wind blowing from the northeast brings dry dust.
- Temperatures are mild year-round, ranging from 20 to 30°C.
Major Events and Culture
| Month |
Event |
Details and Relationship with Climate |
| December |
Christmas |
Celebrated under dry sunny weather with church masses and family gatherings. |
| January |
New Year Festival |
A celebration of the New Year. Many clear days due to the Harmattan make it ideal for outdoor events. |
| February |
Bissau Carnival Preparation |
Preparation for the upcoming carnival with active mask-making and dance rehearsals, aligning with the end of the dry season. |
Summary of Seasonal Events and Climate Relationship
| Season |
Climate Characteristics |
Examples of Major Events |
| Spring |
End of dry season to start of light rainy season |
Carnival, Easter, Cashew Harvest Festival |
| Summer |
Beginning of rainy season with a sharp increase in precipitation |
Rice Planting Festival, Tabanka, Pidgiti Memorial Festival |
| Autumn |
End of rainy season with decreasing rainfall |
Independence Day, Ancestor Worship Festival, All Saints' Day |
| Winter |
Dry season with no rainfall |
Christmas, New Year Festival, Carnival Preparation |
Additional Notes
- The Cashew Harvest Festival is a major event supporting the local economy and has deep connections to the international market.
- The Pidgiti Memorial Festival is an important historical event that conveys the resistance movements of the colonial period to future generations.
- The Harmattan winds during the dry season are an essential element of traditional events as a natural performance.
In Guinea-Bissau, the seasonal climatic changes deeply influence culture and events, nurturing traditions that align with the rhythms of people's lives.
Patchy rain possible