Flag of Burundi

Flag origins

A white diagonal cross divides Burundi’s flag into red sections above and below and green sections on either side. A central white disc contains three red six-pointed stars outlined in green. Red represents earlier generations’ sacrifice and courage for independence and national defense. Green represents hope, prosperity, nature and agriculture. White stands for peace, unity and harmony. The three stars represent the motto “Unity, Work, Progress” — Unité, Travail, Progrès. They are also traditionally explained as representing the Hutu, Tutsi and Twa peoples.

Flag story

The center of Burundi’s flag once showed a drum rather than stars. After independence from Belgium in 1962, Burundi was initially a kingdom. Its flag featured the Karyenda, a traditional drum symbolizing royal authority, together with sorghum. When the monarchy was abolished and Burundi became a republic in 1966, the royal drum was removed.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• Burundi — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

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