History of Sierra Leone

Prior to the arrival of Pedro da Cintra in 1462, Sierra Leone’s 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.
Additionally, a significant part of Sierra Leone’s history can be ascribed to the arrival of Pedro da Cintra, a Portuguese Explorer. He arrived along the West African coast during the rainy season in September 1462. In seeing the shape of mountains like a Lion and amidst the thunderstorm he named the mountains ‘Sierra Lyoa’ (meaning Lion Mountains in Portuguese) Later, the name Sierra Leone was derived from the Portuguese term Sierra Lyoa.
After Pedro da Cintra’s discovery, foreign influence in the area increased and trade commenced between the locals and Europeans in the form of a barter system. The British began to take interest in Sierra Leone and in 1672 the Royal African Company established trading forts on the Islands of Bunce and York. With the emergence of the slave trade, human trafficking became the major commodity and indigenes were sold as slaves. Bunce Island became a prime spot for transporting slaves to Europe and America. When the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was abolished in 1806, the freed slaves from Britain and the Americas were repatriated to the capital which was named Freetown.
In 1808, Sierra Leone became a British crown colony, ruled under a colonial governor. The British administration favoured a policy of “indirect rule” whereby they relied on slightly reorganized indigenous institutions to implement colonial policies and maintain order. 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. This allowed the crown to organize labour forces for timber cutting or mining, to grow cash crops for export, or to send work expeditions to plantations as far away as the Congo. Sierra Leoneans did not passively accept such manipulations. The 1898 “Hut Tax rebellion” occurred as a response to British attempts to impose an annual tax on all houses in the country. The Temne and Mende people especially refused to pay, attacking and looting trading stations, and killing policemen, missionaries, and all those suspected of assisting the colonial government.
Pressures to end colonialism had as much to do with Britain’s weakened position following World War II as it did with the pan-African demands for autonomy. Sierra Leone became an independent, sovereign state on 27 April 1961 with Milton Margai as its Prime Minister. Ten years later, on 19 April 1971, the country became a republic, with an elected President as the Head of State.
Sierra Leone Geographical Location
Sierra Leone is bordered on the north and east by Guinea, on the south by Liberia, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean.
Sierra Leone, with a population of approximately 7 million is made up of an astonishing diversity of ethnic groups, considering the size of the country. Sierra Leone is home of Mendes, Temnes, Limbas, Fullas, Lokos, Madingoes, Korankos, Susus, Kissis, Yalonkas, Sherbros, Krus, Konos, Vais, Krims and Creoles. A wide range of nationalities are also resident in Sierra Leone, contributing to growing ethnic diversity and growing economy. Sierra Leoneans are warm, friendly and exceptionally accommodating to strangers. The capital city sits near the Atlantic Ocean, making Sierra Leone a hub for business as it has one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
English is the official language of Sierra Leone yet it is Krio, which originated with the freed slaves (Creole people) who returned to Sierra Leone after slavery was abolished, that is the lingua franca. Krio is widely spoken in Freetown and to a lesser degree in rural areas. Sierra Leoneans will be thrilled to hear a visitor use some basic Krio words such as: ‘Kusheh’ meaning hello, ‘tenki’ – thank you, ‘do ya’ – please and ‘how di bodi?’ – how are you?
The country can be divided into four distinct physical regions: the coastal swamp, the Sierra Leone Peninsula, the interior plains, and the interior plateau and mountain region. The coastal swamp region extends along the Atlantic for about 200 miles (320 km). It is a flat, low-lying, and frequently flooded plain that is between 5 and 25 miles (8 and 40 km) wide and is composed mainly of sands and clays. Its numerous creeks and estuaries contain mangrove swamps. Sandbars, generally separated by silting lagoons, sometimes form the actual coast. The Sierra Leone Peninsula, which is the site of Freetown, is a region of thickly wooded mountains that run parallel to the sea for about 25 miles (40 km). The Peninsula Mountains rise from the coastal swamps and reach some 2,900 feet (880 metres) at Picket Hill.
Inland from the coastal plain is the interior plains region. 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). In the south, the plains comprise a rolling wooded country where isolated hills rise abruptly to more than 1,000 feet (300 metres).
Sierra Leone Weather
Sierra Leone has two distinct seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season starts in May and ends in October, while the dry season is between November and April. The hottest months of the year are March and April and the most pleasant time is September to February with bright blue skies most days and temperatures in the high twenties and low to mid-thirties. In July and August, it can get exceptionally wet and humid. Bring appropriate clothing depending on the time of year.
Sierra Leone is endowed with tremendous touristic potentials. We pride ourselves in some of the world’s beautiful white and golden pristine beaches stretched several kilometres along the peninsula, with beautiful hotels and resorts for perfect relaxation.
Sierra Leone has a vibrant tropical forest teeming with exotic wildlife and an excellent climate. From the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which provides a safe haven for Chimpanzees, the bountiful marine resources, sprawling hills and ranging Lion Mountains overlooking the cities, to Bunce Island, the cradle of the Trans-Atlantic Slaved, this beautiful diamond-shaped country is one of the most promising, breath-taking ecotourism spots to visit.
It is important to note also that Sierra Leone is endowed with abundant natural resources, including mineral deposits like diamond, gold, bauxite, rutile, iron ore, zinc etc. The country is also blessed with arable land for agricultural activities. We produce livestock, rice, coffee, cocoa, abundant vegetable and fruits. Sierra Leone stands to be the best investment and touristic environment with the West African sub-region.
His Excellency the President, Dr Julius Maada Bio realized the enormous benefits of tourism and has created a friendly and conducive investment environment for all investors.
Religion
Muslims form about 60% of the population, Christians 30% and traditional or animist believers make up the remaining 10%. Sierra Leone is a leading example of religious tolerance. Muslims and Christians live side by side and in some cases intermarry, and children typically learn both Muslim and Christian prayers in school. The phrase ‘God Bless Islam’ is one that you will often see written on local buses (podapodas) exemplifying the integration of the two religions.