The Tribes of Sierra Leone

Traditional culture in Western Africa revolved around unique groups, or tribes, that separated people based on language and customs. While there are roughly fifteen major tribes present in the nation of Sierra Leone, two main tribes hold the largest influence in politics and social life: the Temne tribe and the Mende tribe.

The Temne tribe is the largest group in Sierra Leone, making up 35% of the population. Mel is the language spoken by the Temne, although they speak a specific dialect unique to the tribe. The Temne hierarchy is very patriarchal, with men holding all of the power in leading positions. Women typically do the housework and some fieldwork, while men plow fields and do the highly labor-intensive work. The Temne have many traditions, with large rituals including the coronation of a new tribe chief and the initiation of young tribe members into their secret societies: Poro for men and Bondo for women.  The Mende tribe is the second largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone, making up 30% of the population. Similarly to the Temne tribe, the Mende are very patriarchal, with a man having control over several wives. The Mende also work mainly farming, although the workload is more balanced compared to their Temne counterparts. The Mende’s rituals include birth ceremonies, marriage ceremonies, and initiation into their secret societies as well. While the male Poro society is shared by both the Temne and the Mende, Mende women become part of the Sande society instead.

While Sierra Leone has a diverse culture, the major tribes in the country share similar rituals and practices. Both the Mende and the Temne tribes have rich cultures based on farming and agricultural production, however they each have distinctive customs and rituals that make them unique.