The image below is from April 27th 2011 when the government and people celebrated 50 years of independence from British colonial rule.
Ethnic Groups
-Temne: 35%-- These people are most commonly found in the Northern province and western area. The Temne people are rice farmers, traders, and fishermen. Their culture focuses on secret societies and paramount chiefs. The two types of societies in this culture are the women's Bondo society and the men's Poro society. During the 16th-18th centuries 100,000's of Temne were shipped off to America as slaves. Today about 85% of the Temne are Muslims.
-Mende: 31%-- The Mende people are mostly found in the southern and eastern province. The Mende population is located in many major cities of Sierra Leone which include: Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Kailahun, and Moyamba. These people mainly farm and hunt. Mende people also belong to a huge group of Mande peoples who live all throughout Western Africa.
-Limbia: 8%
-Kono: 5%
-Madingo: 2%
-Loko: 2%
-Other: 17%
Languages Spoken
There are 25 different languages spoken in this country and English is the official language. Other languages spoken are:
-Krio~the most widely spoken language
-Mende~25.9% of the population speaks this
-Temne~ 24.7% of the population speaks this
-Kono
-Kissi
-Kuranko
-Limbia
-Fula (Pular)
-Susu
Major Religions
-Islam is the largest religion in Sierra Leone, but there is a significant amount of Christians in minority. Here is the religious breakdown:
-Muslim: 71.3% of population
-Christian: 26.8%
-Other religious beliefs or animist religions: 1.9%
Types of Foods Eaten/Traditional Foods
-Cassava leaves are the primary cash crop and stable crop and are used immensely in this country. They are used to make many foods, one of the more common ones being Cassava bread.
-Stews are a very fundamental part in Sierra Leones meals. Groundnut Stew being the country's national dish.
-Fried fish, which is very accessible all along Sierra Leones huge coastline.
-Okra soup
-Ginger beer, which is a nonalcoholic beverage made out of just sugar and pure ginger
The Arts
-In the capital Freetown producing and creating floating lanterns are a major form of art.
-Stone and ivory carvings are produced and created by different ethnic groups around the country. These are a primary export to Portuguese traders, and are very popular around the coastal communities.
-Cloth arts are used in a variety of places as protection. The cloth is used as spiritual designs and for specific cultural protections for the wearer.
-Woodworking techniques are popular in forests communities. They are made with intricate details and smooth edges. The Savannah style wood carvings are made with straight lines and bold contrasts.
Unusual/Interesting Customs
-Sierra Leone is not a religiously violent country.
-It is improper for a woman to whistle.
-Sierra Leones national holiday: Independence Day on April 27th is celebrated by a huge lantern parade at night.
-Sierra Leoneans avoid pointing the soles of their feet at each other.
-People only use their right hands for passing objects.
Famous Attractions
-The Tingi Hills Forest reserve is found on a mountain range in the east part of Sierra Leone. It has an area of 45.89 square miles. It became a forest reserve in 1947 and it became a non-hunting reserve in 1973. Over 200 different birds live in this area, and other animals here include forest elephants and western baboons.
-In the capital Freetown producing and creating floating lanterns are a major form of art.
-Stone and ivory carvings are produced and created by different ethnic groups around the country. These are a primary export to Portuguese traders, and are very popular around the coastal communities.
-Cloth arts are used in a variety of places as protection. The cloth is used as spiritual designs and for specific cultural protections for the wearer.
-Woodworking techniques are popular in forests communities. They are made with intricate details and smooth edges. The Savannah style wood carvings are made with straight lines and bold contrasts.
Unusual/Interesting Customs
-Sierra Leone is not a religiously violent country.
-It is improper for a woman to whistle.
-Sierra Leones national holiday: Independence Day on April 27th is celebrated by a huge lantern parade at night.
-Sierra Leoneans avoid pointing the soles of their feet at each other.
-People only use their right hands for passing objects.
Famous Attractions
-The Tingi Hills Forest reserve is found on a mountain range in the east part of Sierra Leone. It has an area of 45.89 square miles. It became a forest reserve in 1947 and it became a non-hunting reserve in 1973. Over 200 different birds live in this area, and other animals here include forest elephants and western baboons.
-Lake Sonfon (also known as Lake Confon) is a mountain lake filled with fresh water located in Diang. This lake is located in the Sula Mountains along the hills. Lake Sonfon has an altitude of 1,801 feet above sea level. This lake is created by several different small streams. Its water levels varies considerably throughout the entire year. Laks Sofon is considered sacred in different cultures and beliefs, many people come here to perform ceremonies. Lastly, miners find gold deposits in the rocks all along this lake.
Sports/Lesiure Activities
-Sierra Leoneans are big soccer (football) players and fans. Most are amateurs but the country has boasted about having some of the best players in the world.
-Baseball and basketball are also very popular, many people play them on their free time, but some citizens have played professionally outside of the country.
-Scuba diving and sport fishing have started becoming increasingly popular for the past years. More people are trying it out because of the beautiful aquatic wildlife here and the numerous historical shipwrecks. The crowded fish stock brings fishermen from everywhere to test their luck out trying to beat the world record setting catches.
-Yoga is also starting to show up everywhere in Sierra Leone. This huge trend started here in 2014. This is because of a new organization called "Yoga Strength" lead by Tamba Fayla who is officially "the country's first qualified yoga teacher."
-Sierra Leoneans are big soccer (football) players and fans. Most are amateurs but the country has boasted about having some of the best players in the world.
-Baseball and basketball are also very popular, many people play them on their free time, but some citizens have played professionally outside of the country.
-Scuba diving and sport fishing have started becoming increasingly popular for the past years. More people are trying it out because of the beautiful aquatic wildlife here and the numerous historical shipwrecks. The crowded fish stock brings fishermen from everywhere to test their luck out trying to beat the world record setting catches.
-Yoga is also starting to show up everywhere in Sierra Leone. This huge trend started here in 2014. This is because of a new organization called "Yoga Strength" lead by Tamba Fayla who is officially "the country's first qualified yoga teacher."
National Holidays
-Independence Day (Sierra Leones national holiday)
-Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)
-Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrafice)
-Western and Christian holidays are celebrated internationally, some examples celebrated in Sierra Leone are:
-Easter
-New Years
-Christmas
-Pray Day
-Independence Day (Sierra Leones national holiday)
-Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)
-Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrafice)
-Western and Christian holidays are celebrated internationally, some examples celebrated in Sierra Leone are:
-Easter
-New Years
-Christmas
-Pray Day