The Flag of Guinea-Bissau: History, Meaning, and Symbolism

Guinea-Bissau is a small country on the Atlantic coast of Northwest Africa, bordering Senegal and Guinea. About 1.9 million people call it home, many living in its capital and largest city, Bissau. It was formerly a Portuguese colony, and this influence lingers in cultural influences such as the use of Portuguese as the country’s official language. This helps unite the diverse ethnic groups of the country, including the Balanta, Fula, and Mandingo peoples. In this article, we’ll learn a little more about this tropical country, its history, and the symbolism and meaning of its flag.

What Does the Name “Guinea-Bissau” Mean?

The origins of the name “Guinea” are unclear, but it may be a corruption of a Tuareg Berber language word “aginaw” referring to black people. The Portuguese used the term “Guine” to refer to the area around Senegal, but by the 18th century it had become a term Europeans used for a broad stretch of the West African coast. As they divided the area into colonies, various European countries each had their own “Guinea”: French Guinea, Spanish Guinea, and Portuguese Guinea. Because the area was rich in gold, “guinea” also became a term used for a British gold coin.

By the time Guinea-Bissau became independent, French Guinea, its southern neighbor, had already achieved its independence under the name Guinea. So, the former Portuguese colony chose to add the name of its capital, Bissau, to its name to distinguish itself. Bissau receives its name from a prominent local African clan. With approximately 500,000 people, it is the largest city in the country, its most important point, and the center of the country’s administration and military power.

Early Designs for the Flag of Guinea-Bissau

In colonial days, Guinea-Bissau was a colony of Portugal, or Portuguese Guinea. It flew the Portuguese flag. The Portuguese flag consists of two vertical bands of green and red. The red band taking up the fly side 2/3 of the flag. The Portuguese coat of arms is in the center on the dividing line between the two fields. This places it closer to the hoist side than the center. This flag was the official flag of the country until independence in 1973.

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During the struggle for independence, various independence movements used their own flags as symbols of their cause. The African Party used one such flag for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). The PAIGC flag was identical to the modern flag of Guinea-Bissau. Except, it included the abbreviation PAIGC below the black star. The flag of Ghana is the inspiration for this flag. It consists of three horizontal bands of red, yellow, and green with a black star centered in the yellow band. As one of the African countries to gain independence earlier in the postwar period, in 1957, Ghana was a great inspiration to other countries such as Guinea Bissau. Choosing a similar flag design was on purpose to symbolize the solidarity of African nations in their fight for independence.

Origin and History of the Flag of Guinea-Bissau

The flag of Guinea-Bissau was adopted on September 24, 1973, after the country gained independence from Portugal. The flag consists of two equal horizontal bands of yellow and green with a red vertical band on the hoist side. A black five-pointed star is in the center of the red band.

Before independence, Guinea-Bissau was a colony of Portugal called Portuguese Guinea. The Portuguese flag was used in the country until independence was achieved in 1973. The struggle for independence was long and difficult. It was not until 1980 that the country was finally able to establish a stable government. Since then, the flag of Guinea-Bissau has become a symbol of the country’s independence and its place in the international community.

The Symbolism of the Flag of Guinea-Bissau

The flag’s colors connect to its Portuguese and African cultural roots. Red, green, and gold are the predominant colors in the Portuguese flag and also are representative of the Pan-African movement. Inspired by anti-colonial sentiments, this movement advocates for the unity and liberation of African nations. In Guinea-Bissau, the colors symbolize the blood that was spilled to win the country’s freedom; the lush green forests of the country; and its gold and other valuable mineral wealth. The black star is a symbol of international solidarity and unity with other African countries.

Now that you’ve been introduced to Guinea-Bissau, its history, and its flag, try some of the articles below to learn more about this country and others with some similarities.

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