The Sierra Leone I know, is widely regarded as a beacon of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence between religions. I was raised in a Muslim family, yet my formative years were spent as a practicing Christian. I have always loved the architecture and feel of some of Freetown’s mosques but there is one that stands out. Nestled in the heart of Freetown, Sierra Leone’s bustling capital, the Herbert Street Mosque stands as a significant symbol of the country’s rich Islamic history and its tradition of religious tolerance. As one of the oldest and most prominent mosques in the country, it serves as a spiritual and cultural hub for the city’s Muslim community.
Early Beginnings: The Trans-Saharan Trade Route
Islam first arrived in Sierra Leone through the trans-Saharan trade routes in the 15th century, long before European colonisation. These trade routes connected West Africa with North Africa and the broader Islamic world, with traders and merchants acting as key conduits for the spread of the religion. As Muslim merchants traveled into West Africa to trade goods like salt, gold, ivory, and kola nuts, they also brought with them the Quran, Islamic practices, and cultural influences.
The early spread of Islam in Sierra Leone is attributed to the Mandé people, particularly the Susu and Mandingo (Malinke) traders, who were part of larger trading networks in the West African region. These groups established small Islamic communities, mostly along the northern and eastern parts of present-day Sierra Leone, as they settled in the region. Islam spread gradually, primarily through peaceful means, and intermingled with the indigenous religious practices.
Fun fact: I speak English, Krio and Mende, and my heritage is also Susu and Mandingo.
Conversion Through Kingdoms and Rulers
The conversion of local leaders to Islam played a significant role in the religion’s growth in Sierra Leone. As was the case in many other African regions, conversion often began with the elites and spread downward to the rest of society. The rulers of key regional kingdoms, like the Soso and Temne, were among the first to convert, recognising the potential political, economic, and social benefits of aligning with Muslim traders and leaders from neighboring regions.
These rulers adopted Islamic customs and practices to strengthen their authority and establish closer ties with the more powerful Muslim states to the north and northeast, including the Songhai Empire. With Islam came literacy, as Islamic education—centered on reading and reciting the Quran—flourished, helping to develop an educated class of scholars and religious leaders. Islamic schools and centers of learning emerged, particularly in the northern regions, spreading religious knowledge and enhancing the faith’s influence.
The Role of Fula Migration
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Fula people played a pivotal role in the expansion of Islam in Sierra Leone. The Fula, originally from the Futa Jallon highlands (in modern-day Guinea), were well-known for their Islamic scholarship and missionary work. Driven by political changes and religious zeal, many Fula migrated into Sierra Leone, bringing with them Islamic teachings and customs.
The Fula were instrumental in spreading Islam beyond the trading communities to rural areas and smaller ethnic groups. Their migration also coincided with the rise of the Fulani jihadist movements across West Africa, including the Sokoto Caliphate, which further intensified the spread of Islamic influence.
Colonial Era and Islamic Resilience
During the British colonial era, Christianity, introduced by European missionaries, became the dominant religion, particularly in the southern regions and among the Creole population in Freetown. However, Islam maintained its stronghold in the north and among several ethnic groups, including the Temne, Limba, and Fula.
Despite British efforts to promote Christianity, Islamic communities in Sierra Leone continued to flourish. Islamic leaders and scholars established schools and mosques that reinforced the faith among their followers. By the 20th century, Islam had solidified its presence, especially in the northern provinces.
Post-Independence Islam in Sierra Leone
Since gaining independence in 1961, Sierra Leone has remained a religiously diverse country, with both Islam and Christianity playing significant roles in its cultural and political life. Today, Muslims make up about 78% of the population, and Islamic holidays, like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, are celebrated nationwide.
Islam in Sierra Leone has retained its distinctive African characteristics, blending elements of traditional African religions with orthodox Islamic practices. Sufi orders, particularly the Tijaniyya and Qadiriyya, have historically dominated the Islamic landscape, though in recent decades, there has been an increase in the presence of Sunni and Salafi movements, influenced by global Islamic trends.
The arrival of Islam in Sierra Leone was a gradual process that evolved over centuries, shaped by trade, migration, and political alliances. From the early trans-Saharan traders to the influential Fula migrants, Islam has left an indelible mark on the country’s religious, social, and cultural fabric. Today, Islam is not only a major religion in Sierra Leone but a testament to the rich, interconnected history of West Africa.
My heritage is deeply rooted in Sierra Leone, where I was born and raised. Growing up, I was immersed in the rich culinary traditions of Sierra Leone, where local ingredients, time-honored African recipes, and a strong culture of communal cooking shaped my passion for people, planet and plate.
Maria
PS. I am actually Mariama but everyone since my early years have called me Maria.
The name “Mariama” has deep roots in African and Islamic cultures. It is a variant of the name “Maryam,” which is the Arabic form of “Mary,” the mother of Jesus (Isa in Islam). In Islamic tradition, Maryam holds a special place as one of the most revered women, and she is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran.