Today, the flags of Kenya and Djibouti fly in celebration of my sister Caitlin’s birthday. Caitlin travels the world for her job and often goes to countries that would not be normal travel destinations. She’s kind enough to bring me flags back from many of the places she visits.
My sister is one of the most caring, compassionate, dedicated, strong people that I know. She’s a good parent to my niece and a good partner to my brother in law. She’s willing to engage me when I’m in my darkest and lightest places and gives really good advice and reflection. She thinks about the world in such and amazing way and is willing and eager to put her time and energy to fight for what she believes in. All in all, I continue to be in awe of her and look up to her, even though I am her big brother. Happy Birthday!
Quoting the font of all knowledge, “The flag of Kenya (Bendera ya Kenya) is a tricolour of black, red, and green with two white edges imposed with a red, white and black Maasai shield and two crossed spears. The flag is mainly based on that of Kenya African National Union and was officially adopted on 12 December 1963 upon Kenya‘s independence.” Schedule 1 of the The National Flag, Emblems and Names Act defines the flag as follows, “Three major strips of equal width coloured from top to bottom black, red and green and separated by narrow white strips, with a symmetrical shield and white spears superimposed centrally.”
Caitlin just brought this flag home last week after a work trip to Nairobi.
The flag of Djibouti was adopted on June 27, 1977. Article II of the Constitution of Djibouti defines the flag as follows, “The emblem of the Republic is the blue, green and white flag bearing a red star of five points.”
The provenance of my flag of Djibouti is indeed historic. When Caitlin purchased the flag during a visit to the country, the person from whom she bought the flag told her that this is the original Djiboutian flag from independence in 1977. Not a copy, not something made in subsequent years, but the original flag flown when the country became independent. I’m honored to have such an artifact in my collection… 😉
Cruesbreck Flags 