The Flag

The flag of Tanzania is made up of green, yellow, black, and blue stripes.

The flag is divided diagonally from the lower hoist (left) side to the upper fly (right) corner with a thick black stripe. On either side of the black stripe is a narrow yellow stripe. Below the yellow stripe, on the lower fly side, the flag is blue, forming a triangle. On the opposite side, the upper hoist side, the flag is a green triangle. 

The colors are symbolic of various aspects of Tanzania. The green is symbolic of the fertile lands of Tanzania, while yellow is for the country's mineral deposits, and blue is for the waters of Tanzania, including the Indian Ocean. The black in the center represents the people of Tanzania. This flag of Tanzania was adopted on June 30, 1964.

 

The Emblem

The central feature of the Coat of Arms is the Warrior's Shield which bears a Golden portion on the upper part followed underneath by the United Republic flag of Green, Golden, Black and Blue; and a red portion under which are wavy bands of blue and white.

The Golden portion represents minerals in the United Republic; the red portion underneath the flag symbolizes the fertile red soil of Africa; while the wavy bands represent the land, sea, lakes and coastal lines of the United Republic.
The Shield is set upon a representation of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Shield there is an elephant tusk supported by a man on the left (as you look at the emblem) and a woman on the right symbolizing both the theme of co-operation and gender and equality of the people of Tanzania.
At the feet of the man is a clove bush and at the feet of the woman is a cotton bush symbolizing agriculture in the Republic.
Superimposed features on the Shield are flames of a burning torch which signifies freedom, enlightenment and knowledge; a spear signifying defence of freedom and crossed axe and hoe being tools that the people of the United Republic use in developing the country.

 

The Tanzania National Anthem

Kiswahili Version	Free English Translation
1. Mungu ibariki Afrika. Wabariki viongozi wake. Hekima Umoja na Amani hizi ni ngao zetu Afrika na watu wake.	1. God bless Africa. Bless its leaders. Let Wisdom Unity and Peace be the shield of Africa and its people.
Chorus: Ibariki Afrika, Ibariki Afrika, Tubariki watoto wa Afrika.	Chorus: Bless Africa, Bless Africa, Bless the children of Africa.
2. Mungu ibariki Tanzania. Dumisha uhuru na umoja Wake kwa waume na watoto. Mungu ibariki Tanzania na watu wake.	2. God bless Tanzania. Grant eternal Freedom and Unity To its sons and daughters. God bless Tanzania and its People.
Chorus: Ibariki Tanzania, Ibariki Tanzania, Tubariki watoto wa tanzania.	Chorus: Bless Tanzania, Bless Tanzania, Bless the children of Tanzania.

 

Listen to the Tanzania National Anthem

 

The Uhuru Tourch

The Uhuru Torch symbolizes freedom and light.  It was first lit on top of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,890m) in 1961.  Symbolically to Shine the country and across the borders to bring hope where there is despair, love where there is enemity and respect where there is hatred.  Yearly there is the Uhuru Torch race, starting from different prominent places.