Lanterns That Transport You Back In Time
Experience the thrill of travelling on a lantern bus or train
‘Control Tower’ (1990)Original Source: Young Men's Muslim Association
Find out what a lantern is
Throughout the 20th century it was customary in Freetown for large illuminated floats (known as lanterns) to be paraded at night to mark the end of Ramadan. By the 1960s the tradition had become a formal, highly organised, city-wide event on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr each year.
‘KLM Airbus’ (1993) by Jennifer OramOriginal Source: Jennifer Oram
Different forms of lantern
Over the years different lantern forms emerged inspired by history, architecture, religion, local traditions and current affairs as well as by travel - including air, sea, road and rail. In the 1980s and 1990s one lantern club (called Ishrine) regularly built lanterns in the form of aeroplanes.
‘Train’ (1997) by Jennifer OramOriginal Source: Jennifer Oram
Lantern trains and buses
Steam trains and double decker buses were once a familiar sight in Freetown and were fondly remembered by older residents. They provided the inspiration in 1997 for two monumental lanterns, both the work of the same highly skilled builder.
A double decker bus in Clinetown
Constructed from timber, fence sticks and palm pith, this lantern was strong enough to carry a large group of children on the night of the parade. The frame was covered in mosquito netting to provide a surface on which to glue a covering of brown paper.
Partly completed lantern depicting a double-decker bus (1997) by Jennifer OramOriginal Source: Jennifer Oram
- its exterior
The top layer of brown paper was painted to capture the distinctive red colour of a typical London bus.
Partly completed lantern depicting a double-decker bus (1997) by Jennifer OramOriginal Source: Jennifer Oram
- its interior
Inside both the upper and lower decks were fitted out with benches for children to sit on during the lantern parade.
Double-Decker Bus (1997)Original Source: Young Men's Muslim Association
- on parade
On the night of the parade a woman acted as the bus conductress and stood on the platform at the back of the bus marshalling the children on board who waved and sang as the lantern progressed through the streets.
Beatles Lantern Club's train
The frame (skeleton) of this lantern was also made from timber, fence sticks and palm pith and was sufficiently strong to bear the weight of an engine driver, his mate and a throng of children who travelled as passengers on the night of the lantern parade.
Partly completed lantern depicting a train (1997) by Jennifer OramOriginal Source: Jennifer Oram
- its exterior
The lantern was clad in various materials but mostly in brown paper which was painted in Sierra Leone's national colours - green, blue and white.
Partly completed lantern depicting a train (1997) by Jennifer OramOriginal Source: Jennifer Oram
- its decoration
Part of the engine was covered with finely-cut paper designs (kaidi) of a type traditionally used to cover lanterns. The decorative paperwork was embellished with strips of silver- and gold-coloured shiny paper which glittered when lit up on the night of the parade.
Partly completed lantern depicting a train (1997) by Jennifer OramOriginal Source: Jennifer Oram
- its carriages
The lantern's carriages closely resembled those with which rail passengers of an earlier generation were familiar. The Sierra Leone National Railway closed in 1975 over twenty years before this lantern was built.
Train (1997)Original Source: Young Men's Muslim Association
- on parade
On the night of the parade the lantern was hauled through the streets under the watchful eye of its engine driver. The carriages were packed with chanting, waving children.
Looking to the lantern builders of the future
Lantern building is a collaborative affair during which the knowledge and skills involved are passed on to assistant lantern builders. Hopefully this means that monumental bus and train lanterns will still be a feature of any future lantern parades.
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