Temne Tribe

Temne Tribe

By Madeline Haas

          They are the largest ethnic group currently in Sierra Leone, and make up 35% of population.

They speak the Temne language, which is a division of Niger-Congo "Mel" syntax. Tribe members are commonly found in the North-Western corners of Sierra Leone. The name “temne” is derived from the root “otem” meaning “old gentleman” in Mel, alluding to the collective tribe. Men and women are divided into their secret societies: Poro and Bondo for men and women, respectively. There are a large number of rituals for each of these societies, with the largest focus on coronation and funerals for popular chieftains as well as the initiation of new members. The term Coca Cola was derived from an-kola, or the “cocoa nut” in Mel. Temne is the specific dialect of Mel that is commonly used by those in the Temne tribe. Temne and Krio are the main languages used in trading throughout Sierra Leone. Children of varying tribes are considered Temne if their father is of the Temne tribe.

“It was at school that year where I first witnessed the inherited rivalry among members of various tribes in Sierra Leone… Some girls were eager to insult the strange traditions practiced by their classmates, a childish behavior that allowed me to learn about the horrific experiences of some girls who joined the Bondo” (Smart 94).

"Temne People: The Resilient and Influential Aboriginal People of Sierra Leone." Trip Down Memory Lane. Blogspot, 17 July 2013. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.