Ethnic Groups in Sierra Leone

Introduction 

Do you know that Sierra Leone has sixteen ethnic groups, each with its own language? According to the 2021 mid-term population and housing census, Mende is the largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone. The largest contest within Sierra Leone’s political culture centers upon the competition between the Mende in the southeast and the Temne people of the north and northwest of Sierra Leone. Below are some of the ethnic groups in Sierra Leone with brief background: Mende, Temne, Limba, Loko, Fula, Mandingo, Creole (Krio), Sherbro, Kuranko, Kono, Susu, Kissi, Yalunka, Vai, Kroo and Oku.

 

The Mende 

The Mende is the largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone at 35.5% of Sierra Leone’s population. The Mende are largely found in the east and south parts of Sierra Leone (Kono district exempted). The Mende are a Muslim-dominated tribe who are believed to be descendants of the mane, originally from Liberia’s hinterland. The majority of the Mende are supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

 

The Temne 

The second largest ethnic group are the Temne at 31.2% of Sierra Leone’s population. The Temne are Muslim in majority, with a small Christian minority. The Temne are from Futa Jallon present-day Guinea. The Temne have a strong relationship with Fula and Susu and they are for the most part in West Africa, as they were the third African Muslim to accept the Islam of Fula and Mandingo. The former president of Sierra Leone HE Ernest Bai Koroma is the first Temne to be elected as president and the majority of the Temne are supporters of the All Peoples Congress (APC).

 

Creoles (Krio) 

The Creole or Krio people are small in number but very important in the country’s development (they makeup 1.3% of the population). The Krio are primarily occupant of the western area and its surroundings. The Krio have traditionally dominated Sierra Leone’s judiciary and Freetown’s elected city council. The first tribe to gain the Western traditional education according to history.  

 

Sherbro 

The Sherbro are Native to Sierra Leone and live on the coast of the Bonthe district. They have occupied Sherbro Island since it was founded. The Sherbro are mainly involved in fishing. The Sherbro are virtually all Christians, and their paramount chiefs had a history of intermarriage with British colonists and traders. The current president of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio is an ethnic Sherbro.

 

Fula 

One of the biggest ethnic groups is the Fula, who is around 4.4% of the population. Descendants of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Fulani migrant settlers from the [Fuuta Jaloo, Fuuta Tooro], regions of Guinea, Senegal, Mali, and Mauritania. Sierra Leone’s current Vice President, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, is a Fula by tribe.

 

Conclusion

Finally, with all the different ethnic groups, one can notice that Sierra Leone is a religious-dominated country, and a highly religious nation. Even though the predominated ethnic groups are the Mende and Temne, from history to date, you can see that the other minority ethnic groups are also important and can hold relevant positions in governance and other renounced offices without any discrimination. 

Jayah Koker

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