Meikai Myers Sierra Leone
Map of Sierra Leone
Districts In Sierra Leone 14 Districts 149 Chiefdoms Northern Provinces: Bombali, Kambia, Koinadugu, Port Loko, Tonkolili. Southern Provinces: Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba, Pujehun. Eastern Provinces: kailahoun, Kenema, Kono. Western Provinces: Western urban area, Western rural area.
Flag of Sierra Leone Green: Agriculture, Natural resources and Mountains. White: Unity and Justice. Blue: Sea and Natural Harbor in Freetown.
Natural resources Diamonds Gold Bauxite Iron ore Agriculture Fish Coffee Cocoa
Population According to the world bank The population of Sierra Leone is at 6.092 million. In 2012 there were 5,979,000 people in Sierra Leone (WHO) Freetown: 941,000 people Estimated population growth rate: 2.33 % (2014)
Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bducptqpefa 1 minute clip
History 1787- Freed slaves arrived from England, Nova Scotia, Jamaica to resettle in Sierra Leone. April 27 1961- Sierra Leone gained independence from the British First prime Minister- Sir Milton Margai (1961-1964) Sierra Leone declared a republic (1971): First executive president was Siaka Stevens. Sir Milton Margai Siaka Stevens
Civil War War was not an ethnic or religious dispute Poverty, Corruption and Diamonds 1990- Foday Sankoh 1996- Election Foday Sankoh 1999- Rebels entered Freetown ECOMOG sent to help the government of Sierra Leone 1999-Lone peace accord was proposed to end the war. 2002- January war was declared over Civil war 1991-2002 ( 11 Years) Charles Taylor Book: A long Way Gone
After Civil war Many people lost their jobs/source of income Thousands of people lost their lives over a third of the population left displaced Lots of Infrastructure destroyed
Consequences of the War Literacy rate: 43.3%. Men: 54.7%, Women: 32.6% Life Expectancy: 46/47 years Persistent Poverty ( GDP $4.929 billion, Guinea: $6.193 Billion, Nigeria: $521.8 billion) Youth unemployment Limited access to clean water (40 % of the population) Poor sanitation ( 87% of the population unimproved sanitation) Poor Electricity Corruption:119/175 countries corruption perception index
Climate 2 seasons Rain season (May to October) Dry Season ( November to April) Harmattan Season(December to February)
Languages/Ethnic Groups. Common Language: Krio Official Language: English Ethnic & Tribal Languages: Temne Mende Mandingo Fullah Sherbro Kono Limba Loko Susu Yalunka Vai Kuranko Kissi Temne: 35% ( Northern provinces) Mende: 31% ( Southern provinces) Other ethnic groups: 34%
Religion Christians: 26.8% of the population Muslims: 71.5% of the population Indigenous believers( Traditional religions: 1.9% of the population Very religious tolerant country Not unusual to be identified as ChrisMus
Rural vs. Urban Life Urban vs. rural City vs. Village
Health care system No Health Insurance Coverage Free health care for children under five, pregnant women and lactating mothers. No annual screenings or physicals 3 physicians/100,000 people. ( WHO recommends 23 physicians/100,000 people) Majority of the population rely on Charity Organizations for health care needs. ( Ex St John of God Catholic Hospital in Lunsar) Government or Private hospitals No Money No Treatment. Lack of medical equipment to diagnose diseases ( Ex: CT Scan, MRI). Lead to other ways of treatment such as traditional herbalists
Common Health Issues Ebola Maternal Mortality: 1,100 deaths/100,000 Live births (US: 28/100,000, UK: 8/100,000) Malaria: According to 2013 world malaria report ranks Sierra Leone as the 5 th country with the highest prevalence of the disease. Malnutrition Typhoid Fever Anemia Neonatal Infection Diarrheal disease Pneumonia Tuberculosis Cholera Mental health: Non existent
Common Health Beliefs Most uneducated people do not believe in western medicine. Some educated people try western medicine, but later go back to traditional medicine God is in control of everything, Its my time.
Traditional Medicine Bang Baa: Traditional herb made from the roots of forest tree. Made for malaria. Dry the root first then put it in water under the sun for a day before drinking the juice. Ginger Tea Bush- Stomach ache Lemon Grass: Cold
Culture/Traditions Festivals Ballanta music festival: Mid march. Two day festival. Performances held in Freetown by local musicians. Lantern festival: Organized around the time for Independence day celebration. Holidays (2014) January 1: New Year's Day January 13: Maulid-un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet) April 18: Good Friday April 20: Easter Sunday April 21: Easter Monday April 27: Independence Day July 28 : Eid al-fitr (End of Ramadan) October 4 : Eid al-adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) December 25: Christmas Day December 26: Boxing Day
Culture
Cont. Marriages Traditional wedding: Man pays dowry, takes wife home Polygamy- Chiefs marry more than one wives Temne people: bride price include Money, palm oil, rice, salt and fabric.( All of this will be put in a calabash)
Traditional food
Clothing Kpokpo cloth
Music/Movies Vick Fornah Emmerson Jimmy Bangura
Tourism