africa Archives - Page 4 of 6

Liberia

Flags / africa, Atlantic Ocean, economy, flags, geography, history, political, transportation, United States

The eleven stripes symbolize the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence and the red and white symbolize courage and moral excellence. The white star represents the first independent republic in Africa, above the blue square representing the African continent. The Liberian flag is modeled after and resembles the United States flag because Liberia was founded, colonized, established, and controlled by free people of color and formerly enslaved black people from the United States and the Caribbean with the help and support of both the United States government and the American Colonization Society (ACS), a private organization dedicated to the removal of free people of color from across North America. Some time after the African Americans began arriving in Liberia in 1822, they came to be identified as “Americo-Liberians” in an effort to separate them from native groups and enslaved Africans rescued from illegal slaving ports and ships by the American navy.

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Lesotho

Flags / africa, economy, flags, geography, history, southern Africa

The current national flag of Lesotho, adopted on the 40th anniversary of Lesotho’s independence on 4 October 2006, features a horizontal blue, white, and green tricolour with a black mokorotlo (a Basotho hat) in the center. The design is intended to reflect a state that is both at peace both internally and with its only neighbour South Africa, replacing the old flag design that featured a military emblem of a shield, spear and knobkerrie.

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Kenya

Flags / africa, economy, flags, geography, history, indian ocean, political, transportation

The Kenyan flag is based on the black over red over green flag of Kenya African National Union (KANU), the political party that led the fight for freedom and independence of Kenya. Upon independence, the white fimbriation, symbolising peace and unity, and the shield were added.

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Guinea-Bissau

Flags / africa, Atlantic Ocean, economy, flags, geography, history, islands, political, transportation

The national flag of Guinea-Bissau was adopted in 1973 when independence from Portugal was proclaimed.

Like the former flag of Cape Verde, the flag is based on that of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). It is still the dominant party in Guinea-Bissau. The PAIGC party flag was derived from that of Ghana, which was the first design to use the Pan-African combination of red, yellow, green, and black in 1957.

The flag features the traditional Pan-African colors of gold, green, red, and also the Black Star of Africa. The flag’s design is heavily influenced by the flag of Ghana. The colors have the same meanings: specifically, the red is for the blood of martyrs, green for forests, and gold for mineral wealth.

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Guinea

Flags / africa, Atlantic Ocean, economy, flags, former french colonies, france, geography, history, political

The national flag of Guinea was adopted on 10 November 1958.

The colors of the flag were adapted from those of the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain, the dominant movement at the time of independence. The colors were in turn derived from those of the flag of Ghana, which had first adopted them in 1957. Sékou Touré, the first President of Guinea, was a close associate of Kwame Nkrumah, the former president of Ghana.

Red symbolizes the blood of the martyrs who died from slavery and wars, yellow represents the sun and the riches of the country, and green the country’s vegetation. In keeping with other flags in the region, the Pan-African movement’s colors of red, yellow, and green are used.

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Ghana

Flags / africa, Atlantic Ocean, childhood, economy, flags, geography, history, political, transportation

The national flag of Ghana was designed and adopted in 1957 and was flown until 1962. It was then reinstated in 1966. It consists of the Pan-African colours of red, gold, and green, in horizontal stripes, with a black five-pointed star in the centre of the gold stripe. The Ghanaian flag was the second African flag after the flag of the Ethiopian Empire to feature these colours. The flag’s design influenced that of the flag of Guinea-Bissau (1973). The flag of Ghana was designed by Theodosia Okoh (1922–2015).

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The Gambia

Flags / africa, Atlantic Ocean, economy, flags, geography, history, political, transportation

The colors of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The blue alludes to the Gambia River, which is the nation’s key feature and is where the country derives its name from. The red evokes the sun – given the Gambia’s close proximity to the Equator – as well as the savanna, while the thin white stripes represent “unity and peace”. The green epitomizes the forest and the agricultural goods that the Gambian people are heavily dependent on, both for exports and their personal use.

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Gabon

Flags, What's that Flag / africa, Atlantic Ocean, economy, flags, geography, history, political, transportation

The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The yellow alludes to the Equator – which cuts across the country – and also symbolizes the sun. The green epitomizes the natural resources of Gabon, as well as its “extensive forested area” that the Gabonese people are economically dependent on in the form of lumber. The blue represents the sea, specifically the South Atlantic Ocean along which the country has an “extensive coast”.

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Ethiopia

Flags / africa, east africa, economy, flags, geography, history, political, social/political, transportation

The national flag of Ethiopia was adopted on 31 October 1912. It conforms to the specifications set forth in Article 3 of the 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia. However, the diameter of the central disc is increased from that of the flag used from 6 February to 31 October 1996. The three traditional colours of green, yellow and red date back to Iyasu V (reigned 1913–1916). The current flag and emblem were adopted after the defeat of Ethiopia’s Marxist dictatorship headed by Mengistu Haile Mariam. The emblem is intended to represent both the diversity and unity of the country. Blue represents peace, the star is said to represent diversity and unity, and the sun’s rays symbolise prosperity. The green recalls the land, yellow stands for peace and hope, and red is symbolic of strength and sacrifice of those who fought with their lives for Ethiopia.

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Eswatini (Swaziland)

Flags / africa, economy, flags, geography, history, political, social, social/political, transportation

The flag is based on the military flag given by King Sobhuza II to the Swazi Pioneer Corps in 1941 to remind them of the nation’s military traditions. On 25 April 1967, the day the pledge of oath was taken by the king, the flag was hoisted for the first time. The College of Arms in London registered the flag on 30 October 1967. The first official hoisting of the flag was conducted on this day.

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