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National Symbols Of Antigua & Barbuda

National Flag

Coat of Arms

      Antigua and Barbuda National Flag - The Dawn of a New Era
By Mr. Reginald Samuel in a 1966. The seven point Golden Sun symbolises the dawn of a new era. Red: symbolises lifeblood of slave forefathers and dynamism of the people. Blue: symbolises hope. Black: symbolises the soil and African heritage. Gold, Blue and White: Antigua and Barbuda's tourist attraction - sun, sea and sand. "V": Victory at last!
           Coat of Arms
The National Coat of Arms
   

National Weed

National Bird

    National Weed
Widdy Widdy (Corchorus siliquosus L) belongs to the Tiliaceae family. The bush was used by sugar workers to supplement their food supply when they struck for better wages and conditions in 1951. With little cooking, the weed rapidly softens and becomes sticky. The flavour is good and the protein content is excellent.
         National Bird - The Frigate
The Frigate (Fregata magnificens L) is also known as Man-o'-War or Weather bird. Relatives of the pelicans, the male is glossy black. To attract females, he blows up his scarlet throat. The females have white breasts. Frigates weigh about three pounds, have a wing span of eight (8) feet, a deeply forked tail and fly about 22 miles per hour (mph).
   

National Flower

National Tree

    National Flower
The Dagger Log's (Agave karatto Miller) yellow flowers rises from the large rosette formed by the Agave plant. Years ago, fishing rafts were made from the flower's log (or stem) and fishing bait was made from the white interior pulp of the leaves.
         National Tree
The Whitewood (Bucida buceras/font L), a wide-spreading ornamental shade tree with nearly horizontal branches, is part of the Combretun family and related to the mangroves and almond trees. Its timber is heavy and hard and was once used for making gun carriages. Because of its "black heart," the tree was once known as "Black Gregory."
   

National Dress

National Sea Creature

National Dress
Worn by market vendors and cake makers in Antigua and Barbuda, circa 1834. (This version designed by native Antiguan Heather Doram.) "National Day" is when many Antiguans proudly wear their national clothing, serve or eat local food and drinks, and attend national prayer services. (Photo by Timothy Payne).
National Sea Creature


As distinguished by its narrow pointed beak and often jagged edge on both sides of the shell, the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) was originally perceived as a gift from Caribs, Arawaks and archaic gods. Once actively hunted for its highly valued "tortoise shell," the Hawksbill is now on the endangered list.

   

National Animal

National Fruit

        National Animal
Thought to be brought to our nation by the Codringtons in the early 1700s, the European Fallow (Dama dama dama) deer live and breed happily on Barbuda and Guiana island. They do not live on any other Eastern Caribbean island. There are two varieties, black and common.
              National Fruit



Originally introduced by the Arawakan speaking people, the Antiguan Black Pineapple (Ananas comosus) was used for making twine, cloth and for healing purposes. Today it is mainly grown on the south side of Antigua.

   

National Dish

National Music

National Food
Pepperpot was first used by the Amerindians as a means of preserving food. Today it is stew typically containing squash, spinach, eggplant, peas, pumpkin, ochroes, salted meats and dumplings. Fungee is a paste-like ball of cornmeal and ochroes.
National Music
Members of the Rio Band play music typical of Antigua's past. The fife band usually consists of a fife (a small flute which plays the diatonic scale and is often made of bamboo), a grudge or grater, a boom pipe (as bass), a homemade Yuca-lili (ukulele) and a traditional guitar.
   

National Historic Symbol

National Stone

National Historic Symbol
The first mill is said to have been built at Claremont by the Piggotts from Ireland. By 1705, there were 34 mills in operation. More than 114 sugar mills still stand today as silent witness to a bygone era when sugar was "king."
        National Stone

 


Wood becomes petrified (fossilised) when buried for extended periods of time in mud containing volcanic ash. Antigua's petrified wood, belongs to the Oligocene period of geological time. Petrified wood fragments may still be found scattered throughout central Antigua.
   

National Anthem

National Motto

The music was written in 1966 by Mr. Walter Chambers, a church pipe organist and piano tuner. The lyrics are by Mr. Novelle Richards, a unionist, poet, journalist and author. At the time of full independence, the words were modified slightly to include Barbuda.

Fair Antigua and Barbuda!
We thy sons and daughters, stand
Strong and firm in peace or danger,
To safeguard our Native Land:
We commit ourselves to building
A true Nation, brave and free!
Ever striving, ever seeking
Dwell in love and unity.

Raise the Standard! Raise it boldly!
Answer now to duty's call:
To the service of your Country:
Sparing nothing, giving all!
Gird your loins and join the battle
'Gainst fear, hate and poverty:
Each endeavouring, all achieving,
Live in peace where man is free!

God of Nations, let Thy Blessing
Fall upon this Land of ours,
Rain and sunshine ever sending
Fill her fields with crops and flowers:
We, her Children, do implore Thee:
Give us strength, faith, loyalty:
Never failing, all enduring
To defend her liberty.

Antigua's National Motto
"EACH ENDEAVOURING, ALL ACHIEVING,"
by Mr. James H. Carrot, inspires Antiguans to work for their country's betterment.

 

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Last Modified: 11/08/98