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Benin

Republic of Benin, Bénin, République du Bénin

2:3
by Zeljko Heimer 4 March 2001
Flag adopted 16 November 1959, abandoned in 1975 and reintroduced 1 August 1990, coat of arms (re)adopted 1 August 1990.

History of the flag
People's Republic of Benin, 1975-1990
Kingdom of Dahomey, 19th century

Cities:

Cotonou

History of the flag

Benin gained independance in 1960, as a Republic of Dahomey. Up to 1975 the flag was the same as the current one. The flag adopted by People's Republic of Benin in 1975 was based on a flag of marxist-leninist party that was red with green star, and the original flag was reintroduced in 1990.

We learn that the colours of the flag are explained in the national anthem: green recalls hope and revival, red the courage of ancestors and yellow incitates to preserve the country wealth. The flag of August 1960 (adopted on 16 November 1959, but hoisted for the first time on 1st August 1960) was reestablished during the National Conference of Active Forces of the Nation (19-28 February 1990).

Dorling-Kindersley Pocket Book only explains the colour as panafrican. Pedersen associates red to the soil, yellow to the savannas and green to palm trees. Smith agrees with Pedersen, except for the red symbolizing the blood of ancestors.

According to Album des Pavillons [pay00], the national flag is used as national ensign, too.

When Benin abandoned its socialist policies in 1990 and a multi-party democracy was established in 1991, together with the original flag, but kept the name Benin introduced in 1975 which was the name of the ancient African empire centered in that area.
Summary from contributions by Zeljko Heimer and John Andrew Lowe 30 November 1995, Nick Artimovich 5 June 1996, Ivan Sache 23 April 2000

Kingdom of Dahomey

by Jaume Ollé 12-SEP-1996

The king Béhanzin (king 1889-1892, born 1844, died 1906), succesor of the king Gle-Gle, had a flag (Ratio 43:59) with a light blue field. The shield is yellow with a dark grey shark, and white egg and tusks; green palm; light green snakes, and the ribbon white. Some inscriptions suggest manufacture by one of the many portuguese who had long had commercial relations along the coast. The french general Alfred Dodds captured the flags in the Dahomey royal Palace at Abomey on 18 November 1892. It was sent to the Musee de l'Arme in Paris, being trasferred in 1932 to the Musee Colonial (now the Musée des Arts Africains et Oc&