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Grand Comore (Comoros)

Ngazidja

Last modified: 2019-01-11 by bruce berry
Keywords: n’gazidja | grand comore | rf | coin | stars: 7 (white) | star: 5 points (white on red) | star: 5 points (white on blue) | stars: map | stars: 4 (white on blue) | crescent: points to fly (white) |
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Flag of Gr.Comore image by António Martins and Pascal Vagnat, 02 Feb 2004 See also: External links:

Current island flag

From the new constitution of Ngazidja (Grande Comore):

Article 3: The autonomous island of Ngazidja has its own symbols which cohabit with the symbols of the Union des Comores.
  1. The flag of the autonomous island of Ngazidja is blue with, on the left, a white crescent turned to the right and four white stars aligned from one end of the crescent to the other.
  2. The anthem of the autonomous island is Uwatwaniya Ndo Djukumu
  3. The motto of the autonomous island is Honneur - Solidarite - Développement / Shewo - Mrwaliyano - Mayendeleyo (in English, Honour - Solidarity - Development)
Pascal Gross, 21 May 2002

The island of Grande Comore (or Ngazidja) has its own official site at: www.ngazidja.org/. The right text of the constitution is on this page and the relevant part concerning the flag, on this one.
Pascal Vagnat, 02 Apr 2003

In photos of actual flags the stars seem quite large and indeed almost interlocked, and the crescent is “deep”, with an inner arc wider than 180°.
António Martins, 02 Feb 2004

There is, as far as I can see, no mention of a flag or any other symbol in the rejected proposed constitution for Ngazidja (Grande Comore), see www.comores-online.com/mwezinet/politique/constitutionmwali.htm.
Jan Oskar Engene, 30 Apr 2002


Sultan flag (1886-1911)

Flag of Gr.Comore Sultan image by Ivan Sache, 18 Jul 2002
1886
The ruler of Bambao unifies the island (the local rulers retaining their titles) into the State of Ngazidja
24 Jun 1886
Ngazidja a French protectorate.
1911
Annexed by France (officially ratified 23 Feb 1914).
António Martins, 21 Jan 2003, quoting from www.worldstatesmen.org/Comoros.html#Grande Comore

According to Lucien Philippe [phi02a], the standard of the Sultan was a crimson square flag with a golden fringe and seven stars representing the seven Sultanates unified into one. The pattern of the stars shall recall the map of the island. The design was communicated to L. Philippe by Prince Said Hussein Said Ali, another son of the Sultan of Grande Comore.
Ivan Sache, 18 Jul 2002

According to www.worldstatesmen.org/Comoros.html, those sultanates were rather eleven:

  • Bambao
  • Itsandra
  • Mitsamihuli
  • Bajini
  • Hambu
  • Washili
  • Hamahame
  • Mbude
  • Hamamvu
  • Mbaku
  • La Dombe
António Martins, 21 Jan 2003

The island included 13 Sultanates, the most important of which were Bambao, Isandha, Mitsamiuli, Obude (Bude) and Badzhini ’M’Badzhini), all of them being placed under the authority of the thibe, the Supreme Sultan of Grande-Comore. In 1875, the last thibe Said Ahmet ben Said Ali appointed as his successor Said Ali, son of Said Omar, Sultan of Anjouan. Said Ali partially unified Grande-Comore and asked for the French protection on 6 January 1886. On 6 January 1892, the treaty was revised and the five aforementioned Sultanates were suppressed. (Source: [clv02])
Ivan Sache, 20 Apr 2002

Alternate version

#2 flag of Gr.Comore Sultan image by Jaume Ollé, 21 Jan 2003
 

At www.worldstatesmen.org/Comoros.html, the sultan flag (image taken from Jaume Ollé’s site) is plain red and fringeless; it is labeled «24 Jun 1886 - 1911».
António Martins, 21 Jan 2003


Flag on 1889 coin

A coin issued by Sultan Said Ali of the island of Ngazidja (Grande Comore) in 1889 shows two crossed flags. [See coin and central detail.]
Iain Walker, 22 Mar 2000

The dexter one is the French, adequately hatched in Pietra Santa to show blue, white and red — but in 1:2 or longer ratio and charged with a (black?) "R·F" on the middle stripe. The sinister flag is apparently white, for no hatching was used on it (but…), also 1:2 or similar, charged with some Arabic writing I couldn’t make out.

Between the flags, on the upper part, a crescent pointing up with a five pointed star between the points; left and right, bellow the flag cloths, two other five pointed stars. It is interesting to know that these two flags show different finials: the French flag has a spear point and the Comorian flag a brass ball.
António Martins, 27 Mar 2000