Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone weaves Mende, Temne and Krio cultures with secret societies, gara cloth and coastal fishing.

Textile & dress Spirituality & rites Music & dance Crafts Language & oral

Knowledge in this place

Gara tie-dye cloth

Gara tie-dye cloth

Gara cloth is patterned with indigo and bright dyes using tied and stitched resists.

Textile & dress

Sande society masks

Sande society masks

The women's Sande society uses the carved sowei helmet mask in initiation rites.

Spirituality & rites

Goombay music

Goombay music

Goombay couples frame drums and song in a Krio urban dance tradition.

Country cloth weaving

Country cloth weaving

Weavers join narrow handwoven strips into prized country cloth blankets.

Krio language

Krio language

Krio, an English-based creole, is the everyday lingua franca across the country.

Language & oral