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Historical flags of Burundi

Last modified: 2003-03-28 by zeljko heimer
Keywords: burundi | sabena | drum | sorghum | karyenda | error | star: 6 points (fimbriated) | stars: triangle | stars: 3 | star: 6 points |
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  • German East Africa 1890 - 1916
  • Belgian conquest 1916
  • League of Nations mandate (Belgium) 1922
  • Administrative union with Belgian Congo 1926-1960
  • UN trust teritorry 1946
  • autonomy 1961
  • independence 1962
  • Republic 1966
See also:

Flag in 1959-1961 ?

[Flag of Burundi in 1959-1959 ?]
from World Statesman located by Zane Whitehorn, 11 Nov 2002

At the World Statesmen website there is a historical Burundi flag pictured above. The flag (which can be found at http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Burundi.html) is purple with what I presume is a wheatstalk behind a red shield. The shield has interlocking white semicircles. The status of the flag is unknown.
Zane Whitehorn, 11 Nove 2002

Flag in 1961-1962 ?

[Flag of Burundi in 1961-1962 ?]
by Jaume Ollé, 20 Jan 1997

First the flag was vertical: red, white, green, with golden emblem (a drum) in center. This flag was in use around 1961-62. Posted to me by Jorge Hurtado, head redactor of Banderas.
Jaume Ollé, 20 Jan 1997 and 05 Sep 1998

The true source of this flag is very unreliable: If I remember correctly, this flag was redesigned after a newspaper report which said that «in Burundi was hoisted a flag of red, white and green with a Royal drum in it». So this flag might be nothing more than a wrong reconstruction of the 1962 flag.
Ralf Stelter, 13 Jun 1999

Flag in 1962-1966

[Flag of Burundi in 1962-1966]
by Pascal Gross, 22 Aug 1998

From 1962, when Burundi achieved independence from Belgium, until 1966 the country flew a similar flag, but in the centre was a drum, called the Karyenda, a traditional emblem of the Mwami (king). There was also a sorghum plant, placed in front of the Karyenda.
Stuart Notholt, 12 Mar 1996

On 1 de July the flag was changed to similar current pattern. In the center the plant and the drum (now in r