History
The origin of
the name “Sierra Leone” (Lion Mountain) is obscure, as the country
never belonged to either Portuguese or Spanish. The name was
probably given by sailors to the hills of Freetown peninsular.
The country first became a British Crown Colony in 1808 and
was granted independence on April 26th 1961. Liberated slaves
formed the colony of Freetown, (the Krios), while inland the
country retained its tribal pattern.
From
1968 to 1985 the country was ruled by Siaka Stevens, who became
President in 1971, when Sierra Leone became a republic. Maj.
General Momoh, who was ousted in a military coup in April 1992,
succeeded him. Rebel incursions over the border from Liberia
under the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) began in the South
and East of Sierra Leone at around the same time.
Gen.
Momoh was followed by Captain Valentine Strasser, who
was only 27 years of age when he took power in 1992 under the
auspices of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). Another
army officer, Johnny Paul Koroma, took over from Strasser for
a short time. A
democratically elected government under President Kabbah was
restored in 1995. However, rebel activity increased in
spite of a peace accord signed with the rebels , led by Corporal
Foday Sankoh, in Lome in 1996. This was short-lived, and the
rebels gained control of nearly all the country except Freetown.
President Kabbah was forced to leave the country, and was only
able to return with the assistance of United Nations and British
troops.
Peace
was finally declared in January 2002, and all the country is
now back in control of the government after ten years of civil
war. A Special Court and Truth and Reconciliation Commission
have been set up to try and reconcile the two sides.
Geography
Sierra
Leone is on the West Coast of Africa, between Guinea to the
north and east, and Liberia in the south. Guinea was formerly
a French colony, whereas Liberia was formed by liberated American
slaves. In Liberia, a civil war is still in progress between
the government of Charles Taylor and LURD rebels.
Sierra
Leone lies between seven and ten degrees north of the equator,
and is about the same longitude as the UK. Time in Sierra Leone
is Greenwich Mean Time.
The country
is comparable in size to Scotland and has a population of about
five million. Being tropical, night and day are about twelve
hours each throughout the year, from seven to seven. There are
no real seasons such as Spring and Autumn, the main change being
between the dry season (November to May), and the wet (May to
November). Temperatures are generally between 20 and 30 degrees
C. throughout the year.
Economically,
the country has considerable potential, with diamond mining,
bauxite, rutile for titanium, timber, cocoa, coffee and fishing.
However, thanks to corruption, mismanagement, expropriation,
and the civil war, Sierra Leone is now ranked as one of the
poorest countries in the world.
Politically,
the country is divided into three provinces: north, east and
south. Kambia district is in the north eastern part of the northern
province, and forms part of the border with Guinea. Kambia district
is composed of six chiefdoms, with Kambia town as its main centre.
Kambia town has a population of 60,000, the total district population
being about 200,000.
Language
The official
language is English, but not everyone understands this. Krio
(“Creole”) is the equivalent of pidgin, and is understood by
most people. Native English speakers will not find it easy to
understand at first, although the origin of words such as such
“runbelleh” (diarrhoea), “get-belleh” (pregnant), “marklate”
(inoculation) and “Ow de body?” (How are you?) are obvious.
Everyone speaks their own tribal language, but even neighbouring
tribes may not be able to understand each other, hence the use
of Krio as the lingua franca.
Transport
Kambia
town is 90-100 miles from Freetown, but since half of this is
along dirt roads, it takes about three hours to drive. It is
possible to go to Freetown and back in a day.
There
is no functioning railway in Sierra Leone, so all travel within
the country is by road. There are metalled roads around Freetown,
as far as Port Loko, which is about halfway to Kambia, although
even these have numerous potholes. Usual travel is by Land Rover
or similar vehicle, with a driver. Public transport, in the
form of buses and taxis, is plentiful but precarious.
Currency
 The
currency is the leone and is all paper. There are roughly 2,300
leones to the pound. As in the rest of Africa, it is probably
best to take cash (US dollars or pounds sterling) and change
it on arrival. The cost of living is not expensive, so you can
probably live on a hundred pounds for up to a month, although
it is best to have some extra for emergencies.
Communication
Communication
has improved considerably with the advent of emails and mobile
phones. The national telecommunications provider, Sierra Tel,
is not always reliable. It is possible to make international
calls from the main Post Office in Freetown, but these will
probably need to be booked. It is also possible to send a fax
f rom Freetown but not from Kambia. Emails can be sent from
Kambia
Post
or packages are best sent via DHL.
Services
Electricity
supplies are idiosyncratic everywhere, unless you have your
own generator, and batteries to start it. There is usually light
at night in Freetown. Otherwise light after dark is supplied
by kerosene lamps and cooking fires. A good torch, even a solar
powered one, is very useful, if not essential.
Water
supplies are also variable. In Freetown, there may be a pump
with tanks on the roof to allow running water. In Kambia, water
is more often raised from a well.
Food and Drink
Only
drink bottled water, beer (Star lager, brewed from rice, or
Guinness, occasionally Heineken or Dutch lager), tea, coffee
or palm wine. Almost anything else is hazardous! Fresh milk
is virtually unobtainable, although it is possible to find yoghurt
in Freetown, if you’re lucky! (The Lebanese supermarkets in
Freetown supply almost anything) You will have to be content
with dried milk in your tea and coffee.
Meat
is scarce, the commonest being chicken, goat and fish. Rice
is plentiful, especially in Kambia, and is the staple diet.
Vegetables include yams, kassava leaves, sweet potatoes and
”Irish potatoes”. Fruit is also plentiful, particularly mangoes,
oranges, bananas and plantains. Cola nuts are chewed for the
mild stimulatory and appetite suppressant effect, but they are
very bitter and not to be recommended. Salads and ice cream
are sometimes available but probably best avoided, because of
the doubt about the origin of the waster used in washing or
making them.
Health
Innoculation
against yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis
A are recommended. It is best to start these at least six weeks
before departure. If in doubt, consult your GP, public health
laboratory, or the London School of Tropical Medicine (071 388
8989). Malaria prophylaxis can be bought over the counter from
most pharmacists, and remember to take it as instructed. A good
insect repellent is worth the cost, and it is probably also
best to take some anti-diarrhoeal agent, as well as a course
of broad spectrum antibiotic, and some paracetamol.
Mosquito
nets are advisable in Kambia.
Avoid
paddling or swimming in lake or river water as it is a good
way to catch schistosomiasis (bilharzia), a disease b est avoided.
Do not
forget to take out reliable health insurance.
If you
are seriously ill while in Sierra Leone, it is probably best
to go to one of the mission hospitals, or contact the British
High Commission.
General
Bribes
are not recommended. Theft may occur, but is probably less likely
in Kambia, where you will be known, than Freetown.
Visas
 Obtained
from the Sierra
Leone High Commission in London. Allow three working days
for processing.
Clothing
European
summer clothing should be suitable. Jackets and ties are not
necessary.
Bibliography
You will
find it difficult to obtain reliable up-to-date information!
The best guide book is the Rough Guide to West Africa. More
up to date news and information can be found on
websites linked to this one.
Finally
It is
worth pointing put that the Kambia Community Appeal cannot be
responsible for your visit, and you travel at your own risk.
Further
information for visitors (from http://www.africaguide.com) |
