Sierra Leone's National Treasure
Discover the diverse heritage of Sierra Leone through its National Museum's rich collections
Sierra Leone Museum (1957)Sierra Leone National Museum
Humble Beginnings: From Station to Museum
Sierra Leone's National Museum was established as the museum of the Sierra Leone Society in 1957. It is housed in what had originally been the Cotton Tree Railway Station in the centre of Freetown. Its first curator was the retired Krio medical doctor, Dr M.C.F. Easmon.
Early acquisitions
The founding collections of the museum were assembled by Sierra Leone's Monuments and Relics Commission from 1946. One of the first objects to be accessioned was this wooden helmet mask worn by the 'ndoli jowei' or 'dancing sowei' of the women's Sande or Bondo society.
A National symbol
The mask of the ndoli jowei, also known as a 'sowei mask' or 'bondo mask', has become an national icon of Sierra Leone. A representation of the mask appeared on a postage stamp to celebrate Sierra Leone's independence from Britain in 1961.
Prestigious Mende sculpture
Although this sculpture is recorded in the Museum's accession register as a sowei mask, it is more likely to have been carved as a prestigious gift. A beautiful example of Mende art, it was presented to the Museum by Sierra Leone's first post-colonial leader, Sir Milton Margai.
Nomoli 51Original Source: Sierra Leone Heritage
Nomoli
Some of the oldest and most enigmatic objects in the National Museum's collections are soapstone carvings known as 'nomoli', The sculptures can be of considerable antiquity and there is a substantial art historical literature on them.
Mahe YafeiOriginal Source: Sierra Leone Heritage
Mahei Yafei
Large heads sculpted from soapstone are known as mahei yafei in Mende, meaning 'chief devil'. Though little is known of their original use, they are thought to be very powerful.
Ancient PotteryOriginal Source: Sierra Leone Heritage
Ancient pottery
The Sierra Leone National Museum has a good collection of ancient pottery. This is an example of a hoard of 28 pots discovered in a subterranean cave uncovered during road workings in Kailahun in 1962. After they were discovered, they were taken to the paramount chief's house.
Bumpe War BellOriginal Source: Sierra Leone Heritage
Relics of Sierra Leone's colonial history
Many of the Museum's collections speak to Sierra Leone's colonial history. The origin of this bell is unknown, but at the time of the anti-colonial Mende Uprising of 1898 it was rung at Bumpe to summon warriors. After the uprising it was installed in a new church in Tikonko.
SLNM.1962.24.83Original Source: Sierra Leone Heritage
Keilei
The Sierra Leone National Museum has a large collection of traditional musical instruments. Many of these are percussive such as the kelei or slit drum. It is beaten by two wooden beaters to produce a sonorous sound.
The Balangi
A documentation film made in association with Talking Drum Studio as part of the Reanimating Cultural Heritage project. Musicians from the Sierra Leone National Dance Troupe perform with and discusss the balangi.
Sierra Leone's masquerade traditions
Like many West African countries, Sierra Leone has many vibrant masquerade traditions. The National Museum has many traditional masks in its collections from its various indigenous ethnic groups. This is the Gongoli, a comic entertainment masquerade of the Mende people.
Gongoli
A documentation film of the Mende Gongoli masquerade. Made in association with Ballanta Academy of Music and Sierra Leone National Dance Troupe as part of the Reanimating Cultural Heritage project.
Headdress of the Temne Ayogbo Society masquerade
This is the headdress of the spirit (masquerade) of the Ayogbo or Arieogbo Society of Sierra Leone's Temne people. It contains potent medicines and charms. The Ayogbo spirit is able to use its magic to seek out witches and thieves.
Jolly mask of Freetown's Aku (Yoruba) community
After the abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade in 1808, British naval vessels patrolled the West African coast intercepting slave ships. Captives on these ships were landed at Freetown, where they settled, bringing traditions from elsewhere in Africa, including Yorubaland.
Milton Margai And Siaka Stevens CarvingOriginal Source: Sierra Leone Heritage
Celebrating Freedom
Many of the Museum's collections are witnesses of Sierra Leone's turbulent postcolonial history. This sculpture by the artist Samuel S. Marco commemorates two important figures in Sierra Leonean independence: Sir Milton Margai and Dr Siaka Stevens.
Relics of Sierra Leone's civil war
Between 1991 and 2002, Sierra Leone was wracked by a horrific civil war. Members of the Kamajor militia used magical charms and traditional hunter-warrior knowledge to protect them and make them more effective fighters.
Sierra Leone National Museum - guardian of traditional arts
For over 60 years, the Sierra Leone National Museum has been caring for Sierra Leone's traditional art and artefacts, as well as supporting artists and craftspeople. This exquisite Mami Wata sculpture was acquired by the Museum in 1972. A fine example of Mende carving.
Masquerade Installation (2011)Sierra Leone National Museum
Masquerade costume installation
To mark the 50th anniversary of Sierra Leone's independence in 2011, a gallery redevelopment was undertaken at the Museum. New masquerade costumes were commissioned reflecting the cultural traditions of different ethnic groups.
Sierra Leone Heritage Mural (2011) by Julius 'Choema' ParkerSierra Leone National Museum
Sierra Leone Heritage
Freetown-based artist Julius 'Cheoma' Parker painted this mural on an external wall of the National Museum to mark the launch of the www.sierraleoneheritage.org website. The website provides access to the Museum's digitised collections, videos and other cultural resources.
School Museum Club at Sierra Leone National MuseumSierra Leone National Museum
Helping young people discover their cultural heritage
Working with people, especially young people, is the most important work of the National Museum. We support lots of activities. Every year we host a Museum School for children, engaging their creativity and helping them discover their own cultural heritage.
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