The Flag of Burundi
The flag of Burundi is composed of a white saltire that divides the field into alternating red and green areas. At the center of the cross, there is a white disk that bears three red solid six-pointed stars outlined in green, arranged in a triangular formation. The design symbolizes national unity, the struggle for independence, peace, and hope.
History
The flag of Burundi was officially adopted on June 28, 1967, following the country's independence from Belgian colonial rule on July 1, 1962. The original flag adopted at independence featured a similar design but with a karyenda (a traditional drum) in place of the stars. The drum was a symbol of royal authority and command. However, the flag was modified in 1967 to its current design to better represent the republic's democratic government and to emphasize national unity and peace. The three stars on the current flag represent the three major ethnic groups of Burundi: the Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa, and also stand for the national motto: 'Unity, Work, Progress'. The flag's design has remained unchanged since 1967, serving as a powerful symbol of Burundi's national identity and aspirations.