UNIP (Zambia)

United National Independence Party

Last modified: 2002-01-05 by jarig bakker
Keywords: unip | zambia | hoe |
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• UNIP pre-independence flag
• UNIP possible flag #1
• UNIP possible flag #2
• UNIP flag on a stamp
• UNIP possible flag #4

• Zambia

UNIP pre-independence flag

There is a bit of confusion with the UNIP flag. The preindependence flag was published in Flag Bulletin III 1. Central rect U is for UNIP and for word Ubuntungwa (freedoom). The tool, a hoe, is typical from the region. The border is for copper The post independence flag is most dificult. Flaggenmitteilung picture it (issue 37) as green, white and red, but is not sure about attribution. This flag can be a bad interpretation, an unofficial variant, or the flag of a different party (but I believe that after independence Zambia was a single party state until some years ago). Francois Burgos describes the UNIP flag (even before independence) green with three stripes (red, black and yellow) with the same device as on the old flag but only the tool (no color is quoted but surely white) and word "UNITY" below (in white); after independence. Burgos says that the flag was adopted as national, adding the eagle a bit different from the one in the coa, over the stripes that were reduced 1/3; central emblem and motto was (of course) suppressed; and the yellow stripe was changed to copper (close to orange), because copper was the main product of the country
Jaume Ollé, 2 Jan 2002

UNIP possible flag #1

In all flagbooks is mentioned that the flag of Zambia was derived from the flag of the United National Independence Party, where yellow was replaced by orange. How did the UNIP-flag look like? In "Flags through the Ages and across the World", 1975 (Dutch edition 1976), is written: UNIP had a four-colored flag, green, red, black and yellow.
Jarig Bakker, 24 Dec 2001

UNIP possible flag #2

On this page is written: "Smith (1980) reported the current Zambian flag is based on the flag of UNIP (United National Independence Party) that led the struggle for independence. However, according to Flaggenmitteilung, the flag of UNIP was vertical green, white, red (4:1:1).
Zeljko Heimer, Jaume Ollé, 3 Aug 1997"
Jarig Bakker, 24 Dec 2001

UNIP flag on a stamp

In my stamp-collection I found a stamp commemorating the Birth of the 2nd Republic, 13-12-72, with an image of the UNIP-headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia. The emblem is on the front, but nearly obliterated by an advertisementboard. I've made a scan of it, from it is IMO clear that the colors are green - yellow - black - red (5:1:1:1?); on the green field something seems to be written.
Jarig Bakker, 24 Dec 2001

UNIP possible flag #4

Image based on the stamp (see above). However in Crampton's Grote Geïllustreerde Vlaggengids, 1990, is written: UNIP: Green, with vertical red, black and orange stripes at the fly; in the center a hoe and the word "UNITY".
Jarig Bakker, 24 Dec 2001