Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland to 31 December 1963. This flag flew alongside the Union Jack for the duration of the existence of the Federation. Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland The Flag of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was a modified British Blue Ensign. Centred in the fly of the flag was a depiction of the shield from the Federation's Coat of Arms. The rising sun is taken from the Arms of Nyasaland (now Malawi), the lion rampant is taken from the Arms of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and the black and white wavy lines is taken from the Arms of
Nyasaland colonial authorities. A growing educated African elite became increasingly vocal and politically active from the 1930s, first through associations, and after 1944, through the Nyasaland African Congress (NAC). There was a marked increase in civil agitation when Nyasaland was forced into a Federation with Southern and Northern Rhodesia in 1953. The failure of the NAC to prevent this caused its collapse. It was revived not long afterwards by a younger and more militant generation which, ultimately, invited Hastings Banda to return to the country and lead it to independence. The 1911 census was the first after the protectorate was renamed