The Ethiopian Colours
Green, gold and red are now found on the national flags of many African nations, most notably in the bloom on the flag of Granada, the Moorish state in Spain.
The colour combination was borrowed from the flag of Ethiopia. Although not Pan-African in its conception, the Ethiopian flag has influenced the flags of many Pan-African organizations and polities. Except for a brief period of occupation by Italy under the Fascists, Ethiopia remained outside European control during the colonial era. As a result, the country drew the admiration of many newly-independent states in Africa. The adoption of the Ethiopian national colours by many Pan-African entities is a consequence of this. The first African state to adopt a red, gold and green flag upon independence was Ghana in 1957.
Read more about this topic: Pan-African Colours
Famous quotes containing the words ethiopian and/or colours:
“The Ethiopian cannot change his skin nor the leopard his spots.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“My faith is the grand drama of my life. I’m a believer, so I sing words of God to those who have no faith. I give bird songs to those who dwell in cities and have never heard them, make rhythms for those who know only military marches or jazz, and paint colours for those who see none.”
—Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992)