Flags, Symbols & Currency of Western Sahara
The National Flag of Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) was officially adopted on February 27, 1976. The Flag has been designed by El-Ouali Mustapha Sayed – the first President of SADR.
The National Flag of Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) features three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white and green. A red triangle aligned from the hoist side is overlaid on these tricolored bands. A red star and a crescent are positioned in the center of the white band. The colors black, green, and white are Pan-Arab colors and are derived from the flag of the Arab Revolt. The black color represents death, the white color symbolizes peace and the green color stands for life. The red triangle represents the revolutionary heritage of the state and progressive politics. The star and the crescent are traditional symbols of Islam. The flag has a height-to-width proportion ratio of 1:2.
History of the Flag of Western Sahara
During the colonial era, Western Sahara was represented by the flag of Spain. The Spanish flag was used until 1975, when after the Madrid Accords, Spain had left the territory, which was then partitioned between Morocco (with the larger part) and Mauritania. The local leaders of the Polisario movement had rejected this partition and had proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) on February 27, 1976, adopting their own flag and emblem.
Symbols of Western Sahara
The National Coat of Arms of Western Sahara
The current official National Coat of Arms of Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) was created by the Polisario Front and adopted in 1976. It features two crossed rifles, with the national flags of Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) hanging from each rifle. Positioned just above the two crossed rifles in the center are a red crescent and a star. The star and the crescent are traditional symbols of Islam. Surrounding the two rifles on either side are two olive branches. The olive branches symbolize peace. Below the rifles is a red scroll depicting the Polisario motto: "حرية ديمقراطية وحدة" ("Liberty, Democracy, Unity") inscribed in black ink.
National Motto
"حرية ديمقراطية وحدة" ("Liberty, Democracy, Unity")
National Anthem
- Anthem Title: "Yā Banīy As-Saharā" ("O Sons of the Sahara")
- Music Composer: Unknown
- Lyricist: Unknown
- Date of Adoption: 1976
"Yā Banīy As-Saharā" ("O Sons of the Sahara") is the national anthem of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic of Western Sahara. It was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1976.
"Yā Banīy As-Saharā" (Arabic: يا بني الصحراء; )
يا بني الصحراء
يا بني الصحراء
يا بني الصحراء
يا بني الصحراء
انتم في الوغى
حاملي المشعل
في الدرب الطويل
اصنعوا الثورة
في أمتنا
واسلكوا من أجلها هذا السبيل
اقطعوا رأس الدخيل
اقطعوا رأس الدخيل
أيها الثوار
يا مجد الوطن
اقطعوا الاقطاع
في هذا الربوع
وانزعو بالحرب أسباب الفتن
ورفضوها لا خضوع لا خنوع
لا عميل لا دخيل
لا عميل لا دخيل
أيها السائل عنا إننا
من تحدى في الجهاد المستحيل
نحن من حطم ذاك الوثنا
نحن من لقنه الدرس الجليل
إننا شعب نبيل
إننا شعب نبيل
نحن من أعلناها ضد
الغزاة ثورة تحرق كل الغاصبين
إنها الحرب التي تمحو الطغات
وتقر الحق حق الكادحين
إننا شعب نبيل
إننا شعب نبيل
إنها الثورة من أجل الشعوب
وستمضي في البلاد العربية
تصنع الوحدة دوما في القلوب
وتقيم العدل والديمقراطية
كل قرن كل جيل
كل قرن كل جيل
"O Sons of the Sahara"
O Sons of the Sahara! In the battlefield, you
are torch holders in the long road,
Make revolution in our nation and follow this
path for her sake.
Cut off the head of the invader. Cut off the
head of the invader.
O revolutionaries, the homeland will be
glorious. Cut off the estates in this region.
Remove in war the causes for protest and
abandon it; no submission, no yielding.
No agent, no invader, no agent, no invader.
You who ask about us: we are the ones who
drive the transforming struggle.
We are the ones who smash that idol, we are
the ones who understand the beautiful
lesson.
We are the people of the path; we are the
people of the path.
We are the ones who revealed the path
against the raid, the one that burns up the
raiders.
It is the war to erase the oppressor and
establish the right of the laborers.
We are the people of the path; We are the
people of the path.
The uprising is for the people and will
advance in the Arab lands.
It will produce unity forever in the hearts and
will establish justice and democracy.
Every century, every generation, every
century, every generation.
The Currency of Western Sahara is the Sahrawi Peseta
The Sahrawi Peseta is the commemorative currency of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. It is divided into 100 céntimos, although these denomination coins have neither been minted nor their banknotes have ever been printed.
Since a large part of the territory is under Moroccan control, the Moroccan dirham, with Algerian dinar and Mauritanian ouguiya is also been circulated.
Coins:
The Non-commemorative coins minted by the Polisario Front are designated for circulation. These coins are in the denominations of 1, 2, 5, 50, 100, 200, 500 pesetas, and are made from cupronickel. Commemorative coins made of gold, silver, and copper have also been issued.
Sahrawi Peseta Coin
