Cape Verde Flag & national anthem

The Flag of Cape Verde

The national flag of Cape Verde was adopted on September 22, 1992, replacing the original flag that was established after independence from Portugal in 1975.

The flag's design is simple yet symbolic. It consists of:

• Horizontal Bands: A field of dark blue represents the ocean surrounding the island nation, with three horizontal stripes of white, red, and white running slightly offset from the flag's bottom edge. The stripes symbolize peace (white) and the effort of the people in the development of the country (red).

• Stars: On the flag's lefthand side sits a circle of 10 yellow stars, which stand in for the 10 main islands that comprise the nation. They are arranged in a circle to suggest unity among the islands.

• Color Scheme: The colors of the flag - blue, white, red and yellow - were inspired by the flag of the European Union, symbolizing the country's connection and aspirations to unity and harmony with Europe.

Historical Context

The Pre-1992 Flag

When Cabo Verde gained independence from Portugal on July 5, 1975, its first national flag closely resembled that of Guinea-Bissau. It featured pan-African colors (red, green, yellow) with a black star and corn emblem, symbolizing African unity and agricultural heritage. This reflected the shared liberation struggle under the PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde).

The 1992 Change

The transition to the current design came after the 1991 democratic reforms, which ended one-party rule. Adopting the new flag in 1992 marked Cabo Verde's desire to highlight its own maritime identity and move away from political association with Guinea-Bissau.

The National Anthem of Cape Verde

The national anthem of Cape Verde is "Cântico da Liberdade" or "Song of Freedom." It replaced the previous anthem "Esta é a Nossa Pátria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country) in 1996. The lyrics are by Amilcar Spencer Lopes, with music composed by Adalberto Higino Tavares Silva.

The anthem is a testament to the nation's struggle for independence and self-determination. The lyrics express hope, resilience, and pride in the country's heritage and future. Unlike many national anthems that may reference battles or conflict, "Cântico da Liberdade" focuses on themes of peace and the natural beauty of the country.

Here are the lyrics of "Cântico da Liberdade" in Portuguese, followed by an English translation:

Portuguese:

Canta, irmão

Canta, meu irmão

Que a Liberdade é hino

E o Homem a certeza.

Com dignidade, enterra a semente

No pó da ilha nua;

No despenhadeiro da vida

A esperança é do tamanho do mar

Que nos abraça,

Sentinela de mares e ventos

Perseverante

Entre estrelas e o Atlântico

Entoa o cântico da liberdade.

English translation:

Sing, brother

Sing, my brother

For Freedom is an anthem

And Man a certainty.

With dignity, bury the seed

In the dust of the bare island;

In the precipice of life

Hope is the size of the sea

Embracing us,

Sentinel of seas and winds

Perseverant

Between stars and the Atlantic

Sing the song of freedom.