African flags and flags in general are not just mere pieces of cloth materials with colors and patterns on them. They are the identity of every nation. They also represent a thing or two about the country. Over time, some countries see the need to make some adjustments to their national flags.
The colors and symbols of many national flags have cultural, political, and regional meanings and ideals. Most African flags bear some pattern, color or symbol of the struggle for freedom.
National flags are respected to the core. A puff on the national flag is a puff on all the land and the heroes whose blood brought these countries the freedom and independence they enjoy.
That is why they are welcomed and exhibited at institutions and at various national and international events.
Even if they are torn and worn out, they will not be carelessly destroyed. There is a step-by-step guide on how to dispose of these in a special ceremony like the US flag.
African flags and the story behind them:
1. South Africa
The South African flag was first hoisted and officially adopted on April 27, 1994 following its independence and the swearing-in of Nelson Mandela. The flag was and is a sign of freedom and hope for the long overdue oppressed nation.
2.Nigeria
The green-white-green flag was designed by 23-year-old Nigerian Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, who studied in London in 1959, was formally educated after the country’s independence in 1960. The green color represents the nations immense natural endowments (resources) and white represents peace.
3. Ghana
The current Ghanaian flag, designed by Theodosia Okoh and adopted in 1957, was one of the African flags using the pan-African colors of red, yellow and green.
4. Rwanda
The Rwandan flag was designed by Alphonse Kirimobenecyo and adopted on October 25, 2001. This was not always the original national flag. It was replaced to remove the aura of the 1994 genocide.
There are 4 different colors on the flag – blue, 2 different shades of yellow and green. blue represents joy and peace; yellow stands for economic potential; The sun yellow stands for enlightenment and green for prosperity.
Overall, the flag represents “national unity, respect for work, heroism and confidence in the future” (Wikipedia).
5. Morocco
Morocco gained independence on March 2, 1956, but the current national flag was restored in 1955.
6. Egypt
The Egyptian flag has undergone about 7 changes in its history. Each version represented a significant period in the history of the Arab nation.
The current flag was introduced in 1984 and consists of equal horizontal red, white and black bands with the national emblem (Eagle of Saladin).
Red symbolizes the time of struggle before the revolution; White symbolizes nonviolent revolution while black symbolizes the end of imperialist subjugation in Egypt.
7. Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean flag contains 5 colors – green, gold, red, black and white.
On the left side of the flag is a white triangle, symbolizing peace. On top of the triangle is an amalgamation of a red five-pointed star and a bird at its center.
The Zimbabwe bird has been an important part of the different versions of the national flag since 1968. He is the national symbol of Zimbabwe.
8. Seychelles
The current flag of Seychelles is the third national flag used by the country since independence on June 29, 1976.
The flag was officially adopted on January 8, 1996. It is characterized by 5 diagonal colors reflecting the colors of the country’s main political parties, as well as the expected dynamics and future prospects of the country during its struggle for independence.
9. Kenya
The Kenyan flag was adopted on December 12, 1963.
Black represents the Kenyan people; red for the bloody struggle for independence; and green for the countryside and natural wealth of the country. The white fimbriation symbolizes peace and honesty.
10. Tanzania
The green color represents the natural wealth of the land; Black represents the Swahili natives of Tanzania; Blue symbolizes the Indian Ocean and the nation’s waters. The thin yellow stripes represent the mineral wealth of Tanzania.
11. Uganda
The Ugandan flag has six equal horizontal bands of black, yellow, red, black, yellow and red from top to bottom. In the center is a white disk with a gray-crowned crane facing the hoist side.
The black band represents the African people, the yellow represents the sun shining on the continent while red represents brotherhood (blood). The gray-crowned crane was the colonial insignia of the Ugandan military.
13. Cameroon
Cameroon was the second country to use the colors of Pan Africa in its national flag.
14. Gambia
On February 18, 1965, the flag was adopted and recognized as the Gambian flag. It consists of three horizontal bands of red, blue and green separated by two thin white fimbriae representing “Unity and Peace”.
The red represents the sun/savanna and the nation’s proximity to the equator. Blue for the Gambia River and green for the country’s vegetation and natural wealth.
15. Somalia
The Somali flag is one of the simplest African flags, with a plain blue field and a white five-pointed star – the star of unity – in the center. It was designed by Mohammed Awale Liban and adopted on October 12, 1954.
It was established in 1954 during the transitional period in national history.
The blue field was inspired by the United Nations flag. The star symbolizes the 5 places where the Somali race can be found – Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and the former British and Italian colonies.
16. Ivory Coast
This is the first and only flag of the former French colony. It was drafted in 1958 and passed on December 3, 1959 after the people voted in a referendum to become an independent republic.
The flag was not used officially until its full independence from France on August 7, 1960.
17. Angola
The Angolan flag was officially deployed when it gained independence on November 11, 1975.
It is divided into 2 horizontal upper red and lower black parts with an emblem in the middle. The emblem consists of a golden star, part of a gear and a machete. It symbolizes industrial workers and agricultural workers.
The yellow color represents the mineral wealth of the country. The colors red and black are believed to represent freedom or death.
18. Madagascar
Two horizontal bands of red and green with a white vertical band on the hoist side. The flag colors were inspired by the flag of the last Merina monarch, Queen Ranavalona III.
Red and white were the colors of the Merina Kingdom – a pre-colonial state off the coast of Southeast Africa. Green represents Hova – the largest class caste and peasant commoners who played a significant role in the struggle for independence.
19. Botswana
Botswana used the British flag as a protectorate of their independence on September 30, 1966. The flag is believed to be one of the African flags that has not adopted its meaning from the leading political party. Instead, the flag designs and colors give cultural, political, and regional interpretations.
The blue represents water while the white-black-white band represents pluralism/racial harmony. It is also said to represent the stripes of the zebra which is the national animal of Botswana.
20. Mauritania
The current flag of Mauritania was adopted after a referendum on August 5, 2017. President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz had scheduled a referendum to change the flag. He proposes adding 2 horizontal red bands to the top and bottom of the flag. This will represent the life and sacrifices made for the country.
The earlier flag, adopted on April 1, 1959, lacked the red ribbons. It had a green meadow and an Islamic crescent and star symbol. The 2 colors – green and gold – represent pan-African ideals.
It was noted as one of the African flags without the most commonly used colors of Africa – red, white or blue, but now we can’t tell. The green is said to represent Islam, which is the main religion in the country. It also represents bright future and growth.