Djibouti's local laws and customs

Introduction 

Whenever you are planning on a trip abroad besides the itinerary and having knowledge about the essentials, the important information which every traveller must be aware of is what are the local laws and customs of the place they are keen on visiting. Since different places have different people with different notions of beliefs and customs, as a traveller abroad, you wouldn't want to go against any idea or take actions unintentionally which might offend anyone. Therefore, having knowledge about the local laws and customs of your destination is a must.  

Similarly, if you are planning a voyage to Djibouti, this article is going to provide you with vital details about the Djibouti local laws and customs one should know as a foreign visitor.   

Djibouti Local Laws and Customs 

Djibouti is prominently a Muslim country. Following the culture which they have, they are quite reserved. Being a traveller, you must ensure that you respect and adhere to their beliefs, laws and customs and try your best not to offend any locals.  As a visitor to Djibouti, it is advised to dress and behave in a conservative manner. There aren't any restrictions on drinking alcohol as it is permitted, but any drunken behaviour in public places or anywhere may result in a two-year prison term. There are also heavy penalties in Djibouti for possessing illegal drugs and using or trafficking illegal drugs. Even if homosexual behaviour is not entirely forbidden, given the cultural norms of Djibouti culture, public displays of affection like kissing or holding hands by same-sex couples could result in prosecution by the local police under the name of "good morals." When travelling during Ramadan, be mindful not to transgress any Islamic principles and respect those who are fasting. During the month of Ramadan, while in public, avoid Drinking, eating and smoking. Producing, displaying in public, or selling any item, image, movie, or audio-visual recording that might be in opposition to socially acceptable behaviour is also prohibited. Photography of infrastructures like ports, public buildings, airports, military facilities and bridges is prohibited in the country. Going against it may result in the confiscation of your equipment with detention. You can always seek out help from any locals if unsure about taking photographs near prohibited places.   

Dual citizenship in Djibouti is prohibited. You are also required to carry an International Driving License for driving around the country.  

Djibouti travel advice  

• You should take precautions to avoid pick-pocketing, not travel alone to any isolated places, especially after dark, and avoid coastal areas.  
• Being declared a "mine safe" country, here at Djibouti, the mines have been marked and not removed, so as a traveller, you should stay on paved roads and beforehand with authorities before using unpaved roads or any off the beaten track. These mines are more to be found in Tadjoura and Obock in the northern district, with Ali Sabieh in the southern district.  
• Outside Djibouti City, it is not recommended to drive at night as it can be dangerous. The roads in Djibouti are not of high standards, with most poorly maintained. Driving can be a tedious task here. Another safety piece of advice for you is not to travel to the border with Eritrea due to toxic relations between Djibouti and Eritrea, which led to disputes in the past. Also, refrain from travelling to the border with Somaliland as the security forces are low in these areas. 
• It is recommended to take multiple photocopies of your passport and also carry a photocopy of the passport at all times during your stay.  
• It is highly advisable to obtain travel insurance to help cover overseas expenditures during emergencies.  
• If you are on any prescribed medications, make sure to carry a sufficient amount of the same, which covers your travel stay.  
• The official currency is the Djiboutian franc, so bring enough cash with you since credit and debit cards aren't generally accepted there. 

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Popular Customs in Djibouti  

In Djibouti, there are a diverse amount of customs which are followed, and many ancient Ancient and Islamic are still practised to this day in the country. Here are some of the popular customs that are followed in Djibouti, which may be interesting to you.  

Folklore in Djibouti 

The community of Afar and Somali have been nomadic for centuries in the country. Both the communities share the common tradition of storytelling and reciting chants with poetry in villages as a way to preserve their tribe's history and culture. Now it may be the case that these practices are not done in the same magnitude as earlier, especially in Urban Djibouti, but the families do chant during weddings and funerals.  

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Marriage values  

Since Islam culture is highly followed in the country, marriage in Islam is considered an important part of organising a family. People in Djibouti marry at an early age, which is regarded as a success for the bride's family and herself. The occasion of a wedding is considered important, and it is celebrated just like any festival.  

Rites of Passage 

Clitoridectomy and circumcision are topics that are highly criticised all over the world, but this is a reality in parts of Somali, Afar and Arab traditions. These procedures are considered a way to increase social cohesiveness and fertility, with clitoridectomies being supposed to protect virginity and uphold the honour of the family. 

Conclusion 

So here it was your complete guide on the local laws and customs of Djibouti with other relevant details about the country's customs and travel advice. Through this article, you are now aware of what measures you should take to avoid unnecessary predicaments during your visit. 

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