Islam in Sierra Leone

Islam in Sierra Leone

Statistics for Islam in Sierra Leone estimate a Muslim population of 3,610,585, representing around 60 percent of the country's total population. There are 18 ethnic groups in the country, the two largest being the Temne and Mende. The Temnes are the main tribe in the north and are predominantly Muslim.

In the early 18th century Fulani and Mande-speaking tribesmen from the Fouta Djallon region of present-day Guinea converted many Temne of northern Sierra Leone to Islam. During the period of British colonialization, the spread of Islam was indirectly favored by the spread of peace and order and stimulating trade. The Europeans broke down the traditional structures of society, introduced new educational and social ideas, opened markets, attracted migrant Africans to growing cities, and thereby indirectly promoted Islam as a form of authority and as an expression of cohesion among displaced peoples. Islam also continued to spread after independence in 1961; in 1960 the Muslim population was 35 percent and grew to 60 percent by 2000.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sierra Leone — Sierra Leonean /lee oh nee euhn/. /lee oh nee, lee ohn / an independent republic in W Africa: member of the Commonwealth of Nations; formerly a British colony and protectorate. 4,891,546; 27,925 sq. mi. (72,326 sq. km). Cap.: Freetown. * * *… …   Universalium

  • SIERRA LEONE — La Sierra Leone est une ancienne colonie anglaise fondée à la fin du XVIIIe siècle pour accueillir les Noirs libérés de l’esclavage. Elle a accédé à l’indépendance le 27 avril 1961 et elle est membre du Commonwealth. Elle s’étend sur une… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Sierra Leone — Sierra Leone, 1) der nördlichste District von Oberguinea (Westafrika), das Küstengebiet zwischen dem Cap Verga (10° 5 nördl. Br.) u., Cap Mesurado (6°26 nördl. Br.), im Norden von Senegambien, im Süden vom Körnerdistricte begrenzt, ostwärts ohne… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Outline of Sierra Leone — …   Wikipedia

  • Sierra Leone — Infobox Country native name = conventional long name = Republic of Sierra Leone common name = Sierra Leone symbol type = Coat of Arms national motto = Unity Freedom Justice national anthem = High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free official… …   Wikipedia

  • History of Sierra Leone — Early history= Archaeological finds show that Sierra Leone has been inhabited continuously for at least 2,500 years,cite web| url=http://www.everyculture.com/Sa Th/Sierra Leone.html| title= Culture of Sierra Leone | author= Countries and Their… …   Wikipedia

  • Limba people (Sierra Leone) — ethnic group group=The Limba caption = Famous Sierra Leoneans from the Limba ethnic group: Almamy Suluku, Siaka Stevens, Joseph Saidu Momoh, Johnny Paul Koroma, Kandeh Baba Conteh, Christian Alusine Kamara Taylor, Brima Acha Kamara, Kewullay… …   Wikipedia

  • President of Sierra Leone — President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Presidential Flag …   Wikipedia

  • Mandingo people of Sierra Leone — The Mandinka people of Sierra Leone Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, former President of Sierra Leone is a member of the Mandinka ethnic group Notable Sierra Leonean Mandingo …   Wikipedia

  • Demographie de la Sierra Leone — Démographie de la Sierra Leone La démographie de la Sierra Leone Sierra Leone: Sommaire 1 Structure de la population 2 Mortalité 3 Migration et composition culturelle 4 …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”