Major Tribes and Ethnic Groups in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a country located in South Africa, which has a total population of 7.81 million people and is one of the poorest countries. Their primary languages include English, Mende, Temne, Limba, and Krio. There are a total of 16 tribes in Sierra Leone, which includes: Mende, Temne, Limba, Kono, Kuranko, Yalunka, Loko, Susu, Mandingo, Fula, Bullom, Sherbro, Krim, Vai, Gola, and Kissi. Temne is located North of Mende in Sierra Leone and is the largest ethnic group. This ethnic group makes up 35% of the population, and they are mostly Muslims and only a few Christians. Since they are the largest ethnic groups in Sierra Leone, they have a substantial influence on the government. The second biggest Mende is located in the South-Eastern provinces and makes up 31% of the population. They are the opposition group of the government, and a large percentage of them are Christian minority, but still, many were Muslim. Limba is the third largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone and is located in the north. They make up 10% of the population, and they speak various dialects that are unknown to the area. Another ethnic group called Kono is located in the eastern provinces, and it is full of Guinea migrants. Kissi is also located in the east. Krio is full of freed African Americans from slavery, and they spoke Krio. During the colonial era, Krio was the dominant community. Fula is full of migrants that came from Guinea in the 17th and 18th centuries, and they make up 6% of the population. The Mandingo was known as Guinea traders. The ethnic group Kuranko arrived in the 1600s, and Loko is native to Sierra Leone. Smaller groups include Sherbro, Vai, Gola, and Kuranko. Most of the Southern and Eastern people are Christians, which include Mende, Kono, Kissi, Sherbo, and Krio.
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| Map of the 16 tribes and ethnic groups in Sierra Leone |
I find it interesting that the Mende group takes up 35% of the population. Also, I found it interesting that they are an "substantial influence" on the government.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting. In The Long Way Gone we didn't really learn much about the other cultures in Sierra Leone, and this is a good summary.
ReplyDeletesome of the information here can bounce off of and reflect other point of views to show the same meaning that sierra leone needs help to grow as a nation and revitalize their need for compassion
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