The Somali calendar, (Somali: Soomaali tiro ammin) which is a moon-and-sun-based system, was used by Somali herders and farmers to determine the seasons and predict the weather. The Somali lunar calendar is known as dayax-tiriska and the sun-based calendar is called amin-tiris or shin-tiris.
The Somalis use both solar and lunar calendric systems. The Lunar year, in which months correspond to
the phases of the moon, is approximately 354.37 days. The months of the lunar year systematically shift
with respect to the cycle of the seasons. The lunar calendar is used for religious observations as well as
social, economic, and legal contracts. It is commonly used throughout Muslim world. The solar calendar
is used for purposes such as weather forecasting, maritime travel, and identification of the seasons. This
paper focuses exclusively with the solar calendar (Amin-tiris or Taqwiim)
The Somalis use both solar and lunar calendric systems. The Lunar year, in which months correspond to
the phases of the moon, is approximately 354.37 days. The months of the lunar year systematically shift
with respect to the cycle of the seasons. The lunar calendar is used for religious observations as well as
social, economic, and legal contracts. It is commonly used throughout Muslim world. The solar calendar
is used for purposes such as weather forecasting, maritime travel, and identification of the seasons. This
paper focuses exclusively with the solar calendar (Amin-tiris or Taqwiim)
