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Cabo Verde's original Flag
Posted On 03/14/2008 11:03:54 by cvol01
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According to reliable sources, Cabral's vision is inscribed on the original flag.
Sometimes Amilcar Cabral could not say openly most of what he thought for his vision was a forecast for the future in reality and actuality. Given the profound significance the symbol had for Cape Verde and Capeverdeans around the world, CaboVerdeOnline.com felt compelled to bring out the cultural ties the original flag meant to mother Africa. By doing so, we consulted with a personnal friend and supporter of amilcar Cabral's vision, Mr. Salah Matteos.
The physical aspects of Cabral's work was fragmented by the very nature of its subject - a national liberation struggle fought under the most trying conditions and motivated by the dual purpose of freeing a colonial people from foreign domination and of creating a social revolution. Cabral was the best read of all the African nationalists or revolutionaries. That is, at the two extremes of political discourse, in his capacity for abstract theorising and in his sensitivity to social process at the village level, Cabral was the most gifted member of his generation.
Today, we find ourselves asking, what was Cabral thinking when he designed the flag for Cape Verde long before his death. Salah tells CaboVerdeOnline.com that Cabral and comrade Abilio Duarte went deep into thought... They wanted to come up with a symbol that would serve as a pillar of Unity for the people of Cape Verde. In the mid 90's without much thought, new leaders of the country adopted a new flag that most people are yet to understand what it symbolizes other than it looks like the European Union flag.
The Classic Collection flag had a special meaning in the world African community and certainly symbolized struggle, independence and freedom - three words that best describes what it means to be African and constituted the following colors:
Red: for the blood that our freedom fighters shed in the jungles of Guinea. Thousands died for the freedom and independence of Cape Verde.
Green: for future life, vegetation and hope that comes from the struggle. It was Cabral's vision that some day Cape Verde would become self sufficient.
Yellow/Corn: symbolic of our children and our future which they embody. Also for the gathering and harvest of our hard work. Harvesting of Capeverdean people around the world. Cabral always emphasized that our Unity within ourselves and with Africa is as precious as Gold.
Sea Shell: stands for the food we collect from the ocean, from the fishing industry and emblem of Christ for salvation.
BlackStar: for Pan-Africanism and the 5 points is for man's five basic senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.
The more you learn about the original flag, the more you understand that it was inspired by the colors given by the Hon. Marcus Garvey in the 1930's as national colors for African people throughout the world.
Cabral loved his people and he understood the problems of the people - physically, mentally and psychologically. His mission on this earth was from above according to our source and for that he was punished, criticized and rejected severely by his enemies and at times by the same people that he set to liberate. Cabral's ideas and thoughts are still being rejected today as we enter 30 years after his death. The flag is the perfect example. Cabral's compassionate vision should be protected but it seems that the advocates of his vision have all been bought out and his people are still suffering - a different type of oppression.
Throughout all this, it is clear that there was at the time a clear leadership, a political will and a strategy. Something we ought to learn today if we are to go forward based on Cabral's vision of Unity and Prosperity for the people of Cabo Verde...
This article was written in January 2003.
Tags: Amilcar Cabral
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