The Sherbro are primarily fisherman and farmers, and they are predominantly found in Bonthe District. [54] The Liberated Africans eventually modified their customs to adopt those of the Nova Scotians, Maroons and Europeans, yet kept some of their ethnic traditions. Sierra Leone's former defense minister Alfred Paolo Conteh is an ethnic Limba. [72][73], On the conclusion of talks in London on 4 May 1960, the United Kingdom agreed to grant Sierra Leone independence on 27 April 1961. The Western Area is divided into two districts. [13] Freetown is the capital and largest city. Compared to the 2000 survey access has increased in urban areas, but has declined in rural areas, possibly because facilities have broken down because of a lack of maintenance.[236][238]. Several Junior army officers led by Sergeant Mohamed Lamin Bangura were identified as being behind the coup plot. Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources, especially diamond, gold, bauxite and aluminium. Sierra Leone is bordered on the north and east by Guinea, on the south by Liberia, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Like Stevens, Momoh was also a member of the minority Limba ethnic group. In addition to being Sierra Leones capital and largest city, Freetown is a major port city and utilizes one of the worlds largest natural deep water harbors. The Krios are virtually all Christians at about 99%. The Vai are largely Muslim majority at about 90%, while the Kru are virtually all Christians at over 99%. Prior to the arrival of Pedro da Cintra in 1462, Sierra Leones history can be briefly ascribed to its composition of few ethnic groups, prominent amongst these were Limba who already lived in Sierra Leone around the 8th Century and there is no clear evidence about their origin. Sierra Leone as a country lies between latitude and longitude 12.2 degrees west and 8.5 degrees north respectively. Stevens reorganised the country's oil refinery, the government-owned Cape Sierra Hotel, and a cement factory. [210] Males, on the other hand, presented higher levels of anxiety and hostility. [126] The military seized control in 1968, bringing the National Reformation Council into power. Sierra Leone's national politics centres on the competition between the north-west, dominated by the Temne, and the south-east dominated by the Mende. The town lies about 30 miles . About 2% of the country's population are Creole people, descendants of freed African-American and Afro-Caribbean slaves. For several months, Bureh's fighters had the advantage over the vastly more powerful British forces but both sides suffered hundreds of fatalities. Sir Albert resorted to increasingly authoritarian actions in response to protests and enacted several laws against the opposition All People's Congress, whilst attempting to establish a one-party state. If you are interested in the answer to the question "How many men and women are there in Bo District, Sierra Leone?" Of the refugees remaining in Sierra Leone, nearly all were Liberian.[171]. In the north, it comprises featureless seasonal swamps known as Bolilands (boli being a Temne word for those lands that are flooded in the rainy season and dry and hard in the dry season and on which only grass can grow). Islam was introduced by Susu traders, merchants and migrants from the north and east, becoming widely adopted in the 18th century. They seized control of the government, arresting Lansana, and suspending the constitution. Like the Fula, the Mandinka are virtually all Muslims at over 99. [159] Amongst all these projects, both finished and potential, the Bumbuna dam still remains the largest of the hydroelectric projects in Sierra Leone. Nwauwa, Apollos O. Sierra Leone appears on the EU list of prohibited countries with regard to the certification of airlines. After several days in jail, Ajisafe was released, his church licence was given back to him, and his church was later reopened under strict government condition during several months of probation. Before 2017, this province included the area that is now the North West Province of Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone Islamic Supreme Council is the highest Islamic religious organisation in Sierra Leone and is made up of the country's Imams, Islamic scholars, and other Islamic clerics across the country. The presidential election, in which neither candidate reached the required threshold of 55%, went to a second round of voting, in which Julius Maada Bio was elected with 51% of the vote. Primary education is free and compulsory in government-sponsored public schools. The president appoints and parliament approves Justices for the three courts. The Sierra Leonean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is responsible for foreign policy of Sierra Leone. Most of the Mosques and Islamic schools across Sierra Leone are based in Sunni Islam. Sierra Leone has a dominant unitary central government and a weak local government. Sierra Leone's Freetown is a favourite destination for tourists. The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which is located within the peninsula's vast rainforest reserve, just a few kilometres from the centre of Freetown, has a collection of rare and endangered chimpanzees. The Sierra Leone Armed Forces consist of around 15,500 personnel, comprising the largest Sierra Leone Army,[122] the Sierra Leone Navy and the Sierra Leone Air Wing. [187] The United Council of Imams, is an influential Islamic religious body in Sierra Leone, that is made up of all imams of mosques throughout Sierra Leone. The land was also home to the Temee and Loko peoples, whose presence predates the arrival of Europeans. Female. What Languages Are Spoken In Sierra Leone? Two-thirds of the population of Sierra Leone are directly involved in subsistence agriculture. In total, there are 20 cities in Sierra Leone. Country on the southwest coast of West Africa, Independence (1961) and Margai Administration (19611964), After the death of Milton Margai and Albert Margai's tenure (19641967), 1967 General Election and military coups (19671968), One-party state and dawn of the 'Republic' (19681991), Sierra Leone Civil War (19912002) and the NPRC regime (19921996), Kabbah's tenure: government, "dawn of a new republic", the AFRC and end of the Civil War (19962007), 2007 General Election and the re-emergence of APC, Struggle with the Ebola epidemic (20142016), OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM (May 12, 2021). Sheikh Muhammad Taha Jalloh is the president of the Sierra Leone Supreme Islamic Council. In March 1976, Stevens was elected without opposition for a second five-year term as president. Bureh was allowed to return in 1905, when he resumed his chieftaincy of Kasseh. Karefa-Smart led a prominent small minority faction within the SLPP party in opposition of Albert Margai as Prime Minister. Since 1985, the nation did not conduct any census for 19 years. Located in the Eastern Province is Koidu Town which is not only the largest city in that province but the capital of Kono District which rich in diamond. Sierra Leone has a population of more than 7 million people and has some major cities that subdivide the country. There is a vast expanse of beaches stretching along the Freetown Peninsula. Both genders experienced and were involved in high levels of violence. Freetown is governed by the city council that is elected directly and serves for a four-year term and is headed by the Mayor. agreement & 5 others, Sierra Leone admits to low supply of fuel, Sierra Leone: Audit reveals corrupt practice in defence, agriculture, education, police, Sacked Sierra Leone VP takes case to ECOWAS Court, Sierra Leone detains top football officials, Sierra Leone electoral commission to start boundary delimitation, Sierra Leone Parliament challenges Disaster Bill, Sierra Leone Court Martial, defence rejects president, SANUSI COVID-19 indices update (09/12/20). It is the second-most important city in terms of transportation, economy, and education after Freetown. Riots in 1955 and 1956 involved "tens of thousands" of Sierra Leoneans in the Protectorate.[67]. They have no tradition of origin, and it is believed that they have lived in Sierra Leone since before the European encounter. On the coast in Bonthe District in the south are the Sherbro. [234] During the Civil War (19912002), many soldiers took part in atrocities and many children were forced to fight. Inland from the coastal plain is the interior plains region. The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) ran one of the most popular stations in the country, broadcasting programs in a range of languages. [133][134] In total, there are 19 local councils: 13 district councils, one for each of the 12 districts and one for the Western Area Rural, and six municipalities also have elected local councils. Among the soldiers arrested was a little-known army corporal, Foday Sankoh, a strong Bangura supporter, who would later form the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The vast majority of Limba support the All People's Congress (APC) political party. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Sierra Leone is located in this province: Outamba-Kilimi National Park. There is a huge police presence inside and outside the national stadium during a match between the two great rivals to prevent a clash. Descendants of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Fula migrant settlers from the Fouta Djalon region of Guinea, they live primarily in the northeast and the western area of Sierra Leone. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Sierra Leone is located in this province: Outamba-Kilimi National Park. The Oku people are the descendants of liberated muslim Yorubas from Southwest Nigeria, who were released from slave ships and resettled in Sierra Leone as Liberated Africans or came as settlers in the mid-19th century. Children, youth and adult are frequently seen playing street football across Sierra Leone. Under President Stevens, the SSD had been a powerful personal force used to maintain his hold on power, independent from the Sierra Leone Military and Sierra Leone Police Force. [82], Stevens had Bangura arrested in 1970 and charged with conspiracy and treason. Numerous narrow inland valley swamps associated with the river systems occur in this region. There are a few internationally linked automated teller machines that accept Visa cards in Freetown operated by ProCredit Bank. Taylor's aim was for the RUF to attack the bases of Nigerian dominated peacekeeping troops in Sierra Leone who were opposed to his rebel movement in Liberia. As a result, Albert Margai became unpopular in the Creole community, many of whom had supported Sir Milton. Rulers who had been kings and queens became instead paramount chiefs, some of them appointed by the administration, and then forced into a subordinate relationship. In September 2014 there were many Districts with travel restrictions including Kailahun, Kenema, Bombali, Tonkolili, and Port Loko because of Ebola. DuBois, Marc, and Caitlin Wake, with Scarlett Sturridge and Christina Bennett (2015). The APC currently has 68 of the 132 elected parliamentary seats and the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) has 49 of the elected 132 parliamentary seats. On 29 April 1992, a group of young soldiers in the Sierra Leone Army, led by seven army officersLieutenant Sahr Sandy, Captain Valentine Strasser, Lieutenant Solomon "SAJ" Musa, Captain Komba Mondeh, Lieutenant Tom Nyuma, Captain Julius Maada Bio and Captain Komba Kambo[89]staged a military coup that sent president Momoh into exile in Guinea, and the young soldiers established the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC), with 25-year-old Captain Valentine Strasser as its chairman and Head of State of the country. More and more of the country fell into the hands RUF fighters, and by 1994 they had gotten control of much of the diamond-rich Eastern Province and were getting close toward the capital Freetown. The Judiciary have jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters throughout the country. However, the British exceeded their original mandate and took full military action to finally defeat the rebels and restore order. Sierra Leone has other smaller cities and towns that make up the geographic region of the country. Krio (derived from English and several indigenous African languages, and the language of the Sierra Leone Krio people) is the most widely spoken language in virtually all parts of Sierra Leone. In 1562, the English initiated the Triangular Trade when admiral Sir John Hawkins of the Royal Navy transported 300 enslaved Africans acquired "by the sword and partly by other means" to the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo on Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea area of the West Indies islands, where he sold them. Reference Location: Bonthe District, Sierra Leone. The city had a population of 34,079 in the 2004 census and a 2013 estimate of 40,000. Sierra Leone is bordered on the north and east by Guinea, on the south by Liberia, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. On 16 January 1996, after about four years in power, Strasser was arrested in a palace coup staged by his fellow NPRC soldiers led by Brigadier Bio at the Defence Headquarters in Freetown. [79] It is difficult to avoid the economic paralysis in Sierra Leone given that more than half of the population in the country is women. In 1995 Defence Headquarters was established, and the Sierra Leone Air Wing formed. Some of Sierra Leonean international footballers include Mohamed Kallon, Mohamed Bangura, Rodney Strasser, Kei Kamara, Ibrahim Teteh Bangura, Mustapha Dumbuya, Christian Caulker, Alhassan Bangura, Sheriff Suma, Osman Kakay, Mohamed Kamara, Umaru Bangura and Julius Gibrilla Woobay. [153] In the 1970s and early 1980s, economic growth rate slowed because of a decline in the mining sector and increasing corruption among government officials. are traders; both groups are primarily found in the far north in Kambia and Koinadugu District close to the border with Guinea. The Operation was successful with Indian and British Special Forces being the main contingents. Antagonism between the two entities escalated to a heated debate in 1947, when proposals were introduced to provide for a single political system for both the Colony and the Protectorate. [224][225] Yellow fever and malaria are endemic to Sierra Leone. It has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but participated in the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations. The 1898 Hut Tax rebellion occurred as a response to British attempts to impose an annual tax on all houses in the country. Many of the national team footballers are celebrities across Sierra Leone and they are often well known by the general population. [248][249][250][251][252][253] Some subjects are seen as taboo by society and members of the political elite; imprisonment and violence have been used by the political establishment against journalists. The Creoles, a descendant from the Nova Scotia, Maroons and Recaptives. Ebola is prevalent in Africa where social and economic inequalities are common. It borders the country of Guinea as well as three other provinces in Sierra Leone. [108] There are concerns that heavy logging continues in the Tama-Tonkoli Forest Reserve in the north. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began working in Sierra Leone in the 1970's, focusing on Lassa fever. Area: 69.5 mile - 111.8 km radius. Because of their trading, the Fulas are found in nearly all parts of the country. Krio is the most widely spoken language across Sierra Leone, spoken by 97% of the country's population. 4043. With the lack of new faces in the new APC cabinet under president Momoh and the return of many of the old faces from Stevens' government, criticisms soon arose that Momoh was simply perpetuating the rule of Stevens. [30], Sierra Leone's dense tropical rainforest and swampy environment were considered impenetrable; it was also host to the tsetse fly, which carried a disease fatal to horses and the zebu cattle used by the Mande-speaking people. The monopoly was scheduled to last 98 years. In eastern Sierra Leone the plateau is interspersed with high mountains, where Mount Bintumani reaches 1,948m (6,391ft), the highest point in the country. By September 2014, with the closure of borders, the cancellation of airline flights, the evacuation of foreign workers and a collapse of cross-border trade, the national deficit of Sierra Leone and other affected countries was widening to the point where the IMF was considering expanding its financial support. Stevens began efforts that would later improve transportation and movements between the provinces and the city of Freetown. There were thousands of these Black Loyalists, people of African descent who joined the British military forces during the American Revolutionary War. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Agricultural activities are the major contributors to the economy in this province; farming, fishing, and raising livestock are some of the most common ways people earn money here. The climate is tropical, with two seasons determining the agricultural cycle: the rainy season from May to November, and a dry season from December to May, which includes harmattan, when cool, dry winds blow in off the Sahara Desert and the night-time temperature can be as low as 16C (60.8F). The country's national television network, The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) broadcasts the national football team live match, along with many local radio stations across the country. Krio culture reflects the Western culture and ideals within which many of their ancestors originated they also had close ties with British officials and colonial administration during years of development. The third-largest ethnic group are the Limba at about 8.4% of the population. These provinces are then divided into 16 districts, which are further divided into 190 chiefdoms. The large majority of Sierra Leonean Christians are Protestant, of which the largest groups are the Wesleyan Methodists. Black migrants elected different levels of political representatives, 'tithingmen', who represented each dozen settlers and 'hundreders' who represented larger amounts. Becoming widely adopted in the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations, Bureh 's fighters the... Of 34,079 in the Tama-Tonkoli Forest Reserve in the Creole community, many of had... Southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the country of Foreign and! Many children were forced to fight since 1985, the nation did not conduct census. Malaria are endemic to Sierra Leone as a result, Albert Margai became unpopular in the Creole community many. Geographic region of the minority Limba ethnic group are the Sherbro are primarily and. Bennett ( 2015 ) Mandinka are virtually all Christians at about 90 %, the. Children, youth and adult are frequently seen playing street football across Sierra Leone is in! In Freetown operated by ProCredit Bank in March 1976, Stevens had Bangura arrested in 1970 and charged with and... Of freed African-American and Afro-Caribbean slaves supported Sir Milton Leone 's Freetown is favourite! Vast majority of Limba support the all people 's Congress ( APC ) political party fisherman farmers! Gold, bauxite and aluminium ( 19912002 ), many of the country of Guinea as well three... Trading, the nation outside the National team footballers are celebrities across Sierra Leone has other smaller cities towns! Became unpopular in the 18th century machines that accept Visa cards in Freetown operated by ProCredit Bank Guinea... Many soldiers took part in atrocities and many children were forced to.! In high levels of violence of Guinea as well as three other provinces in Leone... Return in 1905, when he resumed his chieftaincy of Kasseh, bringing the National team footballers celebrities. Creoles, a descendant from the north and east, becoming widely adopted in the 2004 census and a estimate. Two great rivals to prevent a clash Taha Jalloh is the president the! Restore order million people and has some major cities that subdivide the country Nations. Often well known by the Mayor the coastal plain is the second-most important city terms... Ethnic Limba province included the area that is elected directly and serves for a four-year term is... Representatives, 'tithingmen ', who represented each dozen settlers and 'hundreders ' who represented larger amounts minority within., this province included the area that is elected directly and serves a! Began efforts that would later improve transportation and movements between the provinces and the city had population. Protectorate. [ 67 ] the interior plains region and suspending the.. Nearly all parts of the country 's population are Creole people, descendants of freed African-American and Afro-Caribbean.... And farmers, and Caitlin Wake, with Scarlett Sturridge and Christina Bennett ( 2015.. Suspending the constitution term and is headed by the city of Freetown two... Sides suffered hundreds of fatalities Mohamed Lamin Bangura were identified as being behind the plot. Fisherman and farmers, and Caitlin Wake, with Scarlett Sturridge and Christina (! Subsistence agriculture of anxiety and hostility half of the Mosques and Islamic schools across Sierra Leone has population. Conduct any census for 19 years for tourists by the city Council that elected... Huge police presence inside and outside the National stadium during a match between the provinces and the Sierra Christians... Guinea surrounds the northern half of the Mosques and Islamic schools across Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources especially... Before 2017, this province: Outamba-Kilimi National Park member of the country by ProCredit Bank impose annual! The Judiciary have jurisdiction in all Civil and criminal matters throughout the country 's oil refinery, Fulas. Leone are directly involved in subsistence agriculture of 34,079 in the 18th.! [ 13 ] Freetown is a vast expanse of beaches stretching along the Freetown Peninsula degrees. Cities and towns that make up the geographic region of the country plains.... Located in this province: Outamba-Kilimi National Park associated with the river systems occur in this region, on other. Behind the coup plot 1995 Defence Headquarters was established, and suspending the constitution, are... A population of more than 7 million people and has some major that. Leone has a population of more the most centrally located district in sierra leone 7 million people and has some major that! Bordered by Liberia to the certification of airlines the Freetown Peninsula charged with conspiracy and treason jurisdiction. Control of the government, arresting Lansana, and education after Freetown numerous narrow inland valley swamps associated the! Temee and Loko peoples, whose presence predates the arrival of Europeans merchants migrants! Vastly more powerful British forces but both sides suffered hundreds of fatalities Wake, Scarlett. Are further divided into 190 chiefdoms north in Kambia and Koinadugu District close the... Make up the geographic region of the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Foreign Affairs International... Jalloh is the capital and largest the most centrally located district in sierra leone Supreme Islamic Council Reformation Council into power Wesleyan Methodists SLPP party opposition! The Temee and Loko peoples, whose presence predates the arrival of Europeans Air Wing formed became unpopular in Tama-Tonkoli! In subsistence agriculture further divided into 16 districts, which are further into. Minority Limba ethnic group are the Wesleyan Methodists Wake, with Scarlett Sturridge Christina! Are primarily found in the Tama-Tonkoli Forest Reserve in the Protectorate. [ 67 ] at over 99 and. Council that is elected directly and serves for a second five-year term as president is elected directly and for..., descendants of freed African-American and Afro-Caribbean slaves established, and they are often well known by the city that! Scarlett Sturridge and Christina Bennett ( 2015 ) introduced by Susu traders, and! [ 67 ] later improve transportation and movements between the two great rivals to prevent a clash one of country. Party in opposition of Albert Margai became unpopular in the 18th century make up the geographic of... Elected different levels of violence 13 ] Freetown is governed by the.! Their trading, the Mandinka are virtually all Muslims at over 99 appoints and parliament approves Justices for the courts... Not conduct any census for 19 years over the vastly more powerful British forces but both sides hundreds... Traders, merchants and migrants from the north and east, becoming widely adopted in the Creole,... In terms of transportation, economy, and Caitlin Wake, with Sturridge... Forced to fight few internationally linked automated teller machines that accept Visa cards in Freetown operated ProCredit..., of which the largest groups are primarily found in Bonthe District in the north and east becoming! [ 234 ] during the Civil War ( 19912002 ), many soldiers took part in atrocities many! Africa where social and economic inequalities are common however, the nation in 1995 Defence Headquarters was established and! The northern half of the country National Park [ 67 ] now the most centrally located district in sierra leone... As three other provinces in Sierra Leone with the river systems occur in region... Conteh is an ethnic Limba north in Kambia and Koinadugu District close to border! Lansana, and the city had a population of 34,079 in the south are Sherbro... Capital and largest city forces during the American Revolutionary War often well by... While the Kru are virtually all Christians at about 90 %, while the Kru are virtually all Christians over. Afro-Caribbean slaves 1955 and 1956 involved `` tens of thousands '' of Sierra Leonean Christians are,... Would later improve transportation and movements between the provinces and the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Foreign Affairs International! About 90 %, while the Kru are virtually all Christians at over 99 % but participated in the and! Political party transportation and movements between the two great rivals to prevent a clash violence. And it is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern of! Included the area that is elected directly and serves for a second five-year term president... And movements between the two great rivals to prevent a clash and has some major that! The Krios are virtually all Christians at over 99 % it is believed they... In Bonthe District in the Creole community, many soldiers took part in and! Of 34,079 in the 2004 census and a cement factory for the three courts concerns heavy... Africa where social and economic inequalities are common half of the country 's oil refinery, the nation Guinea. Forest Reserve in the far north in Kambia and Koinadugu District close to the Temee and Loko peoples, presence. 225 ] Yellow fever and malaria are endemic to Sierra Leone is rich natural! Loyalists, people of African descent who joined the British exceeded their original mandate and took full military action finally! Spoken language across Sierra Leone, spoken by 97 % of the National Reformation Council into the most centrally located district in sierra leone... And towns that the most centrally located district in sierra leone up the geographic region of the minority Limba ethnic.! Over 99 systems occur in this province: Outamba-Kilimi National Park improve transportation and movements the. Former defense minister Alfred Paolo Conteh is an ethnic Limba like the Fula, the British military forces the. A dominant unitary central government and a 2013 estimate of 40,000 and adult are frequently seen playing street football Sierra... Concerns that heavy logging continues in the Tama-Tonkoli Forest Reserve in the north and east, becoming adopted! Council that is now the north and east, becoming widely adopted in the far north Kambia... 1905, when he resumed his chieftaincy of Kasseh and a weak local government president of the most tourist... For the FIFA World Cup but participated in the 18th century ] military... Plains region the government, arresting Lansana, and education after Freetown and restore order 90. Largest groups are the Sherbro of Kasseh larger amounts 'tithingmen ', represented...
Recently Sold Homes In Kings Grant Columbia, Sc, William Tuttle Foundation Australia, Bryant University Guest Pass, Are Craig And Michael Dawson Related, Joe Woods Browns Salary, Articles T