Muslim traders brought Islam. Portuguese sailors, Alvaro Fernandez (1447) and Pedro da Cintra (1462) were among the first European explorers to detail their adventures along the coast of Sierra Leone. Located near present day Freetown, the Rokel estuary was established as an important source of fresh water for sea traders and explorers. Over the next 30 years, sea traders opened the bay for trading goods like swords, kitchen and other household utensils in exchange for beeswax, and fine ivory works. By the mid 1550s, slaves replaced these items as the major commodity. Though the Portuguese were among the first in the region and their language formed the basis for trade, their influence had diminished by the 1650s. English, French, Dutch and Danish interests in West Africa had grown. Trade was established through coastal African rulers who prohibited European traders from entering the interior. Rent and gifts were paid for Gold, Slaves beeswax, ivory and cam wood.

British traders of the Royal African Company established Forts along the coast for trading in 1672. But the British did not have a monopoly on the area. Rival European nations attacked the Forts. Admiral de Ruyter is noted to having sacked Tasso Island in 1664 as a reaction to the maltreatment of Dutch traders. In 1728, Afro-Portuguese traders captured the New Royal African Company's fort at Bunce Island.

MODERN HISTORY

In 1787, British Philanthropists founded the "Province of Freedom" which later became Freetown, a British crown colony and the principal base for the suppression of the slave trade. By 1792, 1200 freed slaves from Nova Scotia joined the original settlers, the Maroons, another group of slaves, rebelled in Jamaica and travelled to Freetown in 1800.

Through the efforts of such men as William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharp, Lord Mansfield formed an administration in 1806, which was instrumental in the British Empire's abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade (1807). The British established a naval base in Freetown to patrol against illegal slave ships. A fine of GBP £100 was established for every slave found on a British ship.

In 1808 Sierra Leone officially became a crown colony with the land possessions of the Sierra Leone Company (formerly known as St. George's Bay Company) transferred to the crown. The colony was dedicated to demonstrating the principles of Christianity, civilization and commerce.

In 1833 British Parliament passed the Emancipation Act, and 1883 slavery was finally abolished. It wasn't until 1865; the United States passed the 13th amendment abolishing slavery.

By 1855, over 50,000 freed slaves had been settled in Freetown. Known as Krios, the repatriated settlers of Freetown today live in a multi-ethnic country. Though English is the official language, Krio is widely spoken throughout the country allowing different tribal groups a common language.

POST-MODERN HISTORY

Sierra Leone achieved independence on the 27th of April 1961. The country attained republican status on the 19th April 1971. Since independence many changes have been experienced politically, economically and in the social society of Sierra Leone.

The 90's brought successive civil disturbances culminating into a ghastly war that led to the intervention of the International Community led by the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). Various international organizations helped provide an environment for free and fair Presidential and Parliamentary elections of 2002. The next step is rebuilding the country but there is much to do.

Since independence, Sierra Leone has been ruled by 8 Heads of State, at one time making history in the world, of having had the youngest Head of State aged 27 years. Today a multiparty democracy operates under the Presidency of Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah who recently won a landslide victory in the May 2002 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

THE COUNTRY

Sierra Leone's name dates back to 1462, when a Portuguese explorer sailed down the coast of West Africa. There seems some dispute whether it was the shape or climatic conditions that influenced Pedro da Cintra to come up with "Sierra Lyoa" meaning Lion Mountains.

Some say the coastal mountains looked like "lion's teeth". Others suggest he thought the thunderstorms over the mountainous peninsular sounded like the roar of a lion. Sixteenth century English sailors called it "Sierra Leoa" which evolved in the 17th century to Sierra Leone. The British officially adopted the name Sierra Leone in 1787.

FREETOWN

The local name for Freetown before the white man came was "Romarong" meaning the place of the wailers. This name came from sounds of the constant weeping and screaming of victims of storm and cross current disasters at the mouth of the Sierra Leone River.