Limba people (Sierra Leone)
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| The Limba |
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| Total population |
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590,000 (10% of Sierra Leone's population)[citation needed] |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Northern Province, Western Area |
| Languages |
| Limba language |
| Religions |
| Islam, Christianity |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Temne, Loko |
The Limba people are one of the indigenous ethnic groups in the Republic of Sierra Leone. They are the third largest ethnic group in the country and make up about 10% of the population. They are primarily found in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone and in the capital city of Freetown and its countryside.
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[edit] Economy
The Limba are mainly rice farmers who live in the savannah-woodland region in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. They predominate in 7 of Sierra Leone's 149 rural chiefdoms, and their community affairs are dominated by the local paramount chiefs. The Limba are the third-largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone.
[edit] Religion and spiritual beliefs
The Limba in the Northern Province are most strongly influenced by Islam, and the southern, by Christianity. The western group has been influenced by both.
[edit] Culture
Limbas were among the last in Sierra Leone to seek Western education and for many years they suffered from a negative public image due to their perceived "backwardness." Their position improved considerably, though, between 1968 and 1992 when two successive presidents of Sierra Leone (Siaka Stevens and Joseph Saidu Momoh) identified themselves as Limbas.
Today, many Limbas live in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital city, and in the large provincial towns, and many have acquired formal education, in some cases completing postgraduate studies abroad. But the majority of Limbas still live in rural areas where they carry on their tradition way of life.
[edit] Notable Limbas
[edit] Politicians/police officers
- Almamy Suluku, powerful Limba ruler who maintained his independence as long as possible through brilliant political strategy during colonial era. (Kamabai - Nothern Province)
- Ernest Bai Koroma, Sierra Leone's Official President 2007 - Present
- Siaka Stevens, president of Sierra Leone from 1971-1985
- Joseph Saidu Momoh, president of Sierra Leone from 1985-1992
- Johnny Paul Koroma, Head of State of Sierra Leone from May 1997 to February 1998.
- Brima Acha Kamara, the current Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police (SLP).
- Jengo Stevens, son of former Sierra Leone's president Siaka Stevens; and member of parliament of Sierra Leone representing Kambia District
- Brigadier John Amadu Bangura former Governor-General of Sierra Leone
- Hindowa Momoh, former President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students
- Dauda Kamara, Sierra Leone's Interal Affairs Minister
- Kandeh Baba Conteh, Sierra Leonean politician and leader of the Peace and Liberation Party (PLP)
- Momodu Munu, Sierra Leone's foreign minister from 1985-1989
- Abdulai Conteh, former Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Paolo Conteh, Sierra Leone's Minister of Defence 2007 - Present
- Kondeh Yapoh Conteh, Memeber of Parliament for Constituency of Kamabai
[edit] Football stars
- Ibrahim Kargbo, football star
- Lamin Conteh, football star
- Mohammad Rashid, football star
- Sidney Kargbo, football star
- Kewullay Conteh, football star
