Pan-African colours

The traditional flag of Ethiopia. Despite not being Pan-African in its original conception, it has influenced the flags of many Pan-African organizations and polities.

The UNIA or Black Nationalist (Garveyist) flag.

The Pan-African colours are: green, gold (not yellow, despite its appearance), and red (inspired by the flag of Ethiopia).

Red, black, and green are the colours of Black Nationalism, which should not be taken for a symbol of Pan-Africanism. It is often confused as such, given the political tendency’s support of Black self-determination. ^[1]

They are used in flags and other emblems of various countries and territories in Africa and the Americas to represent Pan-Africanist ideology. The Rastafarian movement and many Pan-African organisations also often employ the colours for their activities.

The Ethiopian colours

Green, gold and red are now found on the national flags of many African nations. The colour combination was borrowed from the flag of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian flag has influenced the flags of many Pan-African organizations and polities. Except for a brief period of occupation by Italy under the Fascists, Ethiopia remained outside European control during the colonial era by defeating the Italian army at the battle of Adwa, Ethiopia, in 1896. As a result, the country drew the admiration of many newly independent states in Africa. The adoption of the Ethiopian national colours by many Pan-African entities is a consequence of this. The first African state to adopt a red, gold and green flag upon independence was Ghana in 1957.

The UNIA colours

The UNIA founded by Marcus Garvey has a constitution which defines red, black, and green as the Pan-African colours: "red representing the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, the colour black for the people, green for the rich land of Africa." The UNIA flag was designated the official colours of Black Africans by the UNIA at its convention in Madison Square Garden on August 13, 1920 in New York City, United States.

Current country flags with the Pan-African symbolism

The following are countries and territories that use one or both sets of Pan-African colours in their official flags:

Non-national flags

African American flag by David Hammons
Alternative African American flag
French Guiana (unofficial)
Flag of the Union of African States (1958–1961)
Flag of the Union of African States (1961–1962)

Former flags with the colours

Biafra (1967–1970)
Cape Verde (1975–1992)
People's Republic of Congo (1970–1991)
Ghana (1964–1966)
Haiti (1964–1986)
Malawi (2010–2012)
Rwanda (1961–2001)
South Kasai (1960–1961)
Zaire (Congo-Kinshasa) (1971–1997)
Zimbabwe Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) (1979)

Non Pan-African flags with Pan-African colours

Flags listed may use the Pan-African colours, but are not Pan-African flags as the official symbolism of these colours is not identified as relating to Pan-Africanism. Rastafari colours also originate from the Ethiopian flag, but are not related to Pan-Africanism.

References

↑ Shelby, Tommie (2003-10). "Two Conceptions of Black Nationalism". Political Theory. 31 (5): 664–692. doi:10.1177/0090591703252826. ISSN 0090-5917. Check date values in: |date= (help)

Znamierowski, Alfred (2001). The World Encyclopedia of Flags: The Definitive Guide to International Flags, Banners, Standards and Ensigns. London: Anness Publishing.

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[1] Shelby, Tommie (2003-10). "Two Conceptions of Black Nationalism". Political Theory. 31 (5): 664–692. doi:10.1177/0090591703252826. ISSN 0090-5917. Check date values in: |date= (help)