Many consider Africa to be the motherland, the place where all human beings evolved. Scientists have concluded that at one point the earth was one land mass with water surrounding it. Eventually, because of earth shifts and Mother Nature this huge land mass parted into smaller sectors (or continents) and from Africa came the first form of humanity. Undoubtedly, Africa has history that is rooted and connected to the rest of the world in some way. Centuries later, Africa geographically became the second largest continent comprised of many smaller countries and different peoples. One of these countries is known as Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone’s location directly facing the Western world, made it a prime departure point for many enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. European settlers managed to manipulate many of the African people to believe that their mission was to help. However, “help” turned into one of the worst inhumane practices of the century. Eventually, thoughts of attaining material things and favors convinced some African people to turn on their own people. They were convinced into the capturing of many African people and trading or selling them to their European counterparts. The transatlantic slave trade became a huge business, trading people for inanimate things and a bulk of it happened right on the borders of Sierra Leone.
The first inhabitants of Sierra Leone were known as the Bulom people. Soon the Portuguese ambitious for new discoveries reached the coasts of this unknown territory and named it “lion mountains” or its present name of Sierra Leone. Ancient history also tells a biography of Kings that emerged from this widely misinterpreted continent. Democracy was not common or even a thought many years ago in all parts of the earth. Kingdoms and its rulers or kings were looked upon as the one to make all the decisions. Often Kings were even perceived as Gods. Certainly, there were virtuous rulers and then there were malicious ones. Sierra Leone on its west coast of Africa was home to kings during some period. According to the Sierra Leone Web, in 1540 Great Mane Conqueror, Farma Tami, ruled Sierra Leone. Under Farma Tami’s rule, came his innovative ideas such as the concept of government “and improved methods of weaving and manufacture (Sierra Leone Web).” Interestingly, Tami was also known for teaching his people “the art of war.” These teachings and praising of war can imply that violence in Sierra Leone present day could have trickled down from the great minds of its conquistadors.
From many of the sources used it seemed as though there was a jump in Sierra Leone’s history that was not accounted for. This could be due to wars and resources being destroyed that provides some insight on the country’s history. Above it all, Sierra Leone finally gained their independence in 1961. Since then the country has struggled finding a balance in politics that can benefit a greater portion of its people. Today, diamonds are one of the greatest revenue sources of the country. What is truly telling about the diamond industry and organization of politics in Sierra Leone, is that diamonds keep the outside buyers beautifully accessorized while they keep Sierra Leone living- barely.
http://www.sierra-leone.org/Heroes/heroes1.html
http://www.sahistory.org.za/places/sierra-leone
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