Two sets of three colours are referred to as the Pan-African colours.

The term "Pan-African colours" sometimes refers to red, gold,and green. These colors are now found on the flags of many African nations, and originate in Ethiopia, from where they have relevance for Rastafarianism. Except for a brief period of occupation by Italy under the Fascists, Ethiopia remained outside European control during the colonial era, and was therefore admired by many newly-independent African states. The adoption of the Ethiopian national colours was a consequence of this. The first African state to adopt red, gold and green for her flag upon independence was Ghana in 1957.

According to the UNIA, the Pan-African colors are red, black, and green, "red representing the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, the color black for black people whose dignity is upheld by the existence of the flag, green for the abundant natural wealth of the Motherland, Africa." Designated the official colors of the African Race by the UNIA at its convention in Madison Square Garden on August 13, 1920 in New York City.

The following are countries that combine three to four of red, green, black, and yellow in their flags as representative of their African identity.

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Congo-Brazzaville
• Dominica
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Mali
• Mozambique
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Togo
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

In addition, the colours red, black, and green are used in the African American flag, which can be seen here (http://www.unia-acl.org/history/flagstor.htm) and was designed by Marcus Garvey.

See also

• Pan-Slavic colors
• Pan-Arab colors

External links

• http://www.unia-acl.org

it:Colori panafricani