* A Band! *

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars (also called Refugee All Stars) is a band from Sierra Leone which was formed by a group of refugees displaced to Guinea during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Since their return to Freetown in 2004, the band has toured extensively to raise awareness for humanitarian causes. Their story is documented in the 2005 documentary film Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars.

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The Food!

For almost all Sierra Leoneans, rice is the staple food, consumed at virtually every meal. A Sierra Leonean will often say, without any exaggeration, "If I haven't eaten rice today, then I haven't eaten!" Other things are of course eaten—a wide variety of fruits, seafood, potatoes, cassava, etc.—but these are often considered to be just "snacks" and not "real food." Real food is rice, prepared numerous ways, and topped with a variety of sauces made from some combination of potato leaves, cassava leaves, hot peppers, peanuts, beans, okra, fish, beef, chicken, eggplant, onions, and tomatoes. Bones, particularly chicken bones, are a delicacy, because their brittle nature makes the sweet marrow inside easily accessible.
Along the street one can find snacks such as fresh mangoes, oranges, pineapple, or papaya, fried plantains, potato or cassava chunks with pepper sauce, small bags of popcorn or peanuts, bread, roasted corn, or skewers of grilled meat or shrimp.
Sometimes villages, and sometimes families within villages, will have specific taboos or proscriptions against eating certain foods. These are usually attributed to a law handed down from someone's ancestor, perhaps the founder of the village. The taboo can be a restriction against certain kind of meat or a certain oil, or even against food prepared a certain way. Violation is usually seen as a risky proposition, and can incur the ill feelings of would-be guardians either living or dead.

Meat Stew --> Made of meat, egg, tomato and onion

 

Egusi Soup --> Made of meat, ground egusi (a West African melon, that only the seeds of the fruit are eaten for be bitter), stockfish, smoked fish, tomato and onion.

Chicken Stew --> Made of chiken, large pepper, tomato paste and lemon juice

 

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Media

Media in Sierra Leone began with the introduction of the first printing press in Africa at the start of the nineteenth century. A strong journalistic tradition developed with the creation of a number of newspapers. In the 1860s, the country became a journalist hub for Africa, with professionals travelling to the country from across the continent. At the end of the nineteenth century, the industry went into decline, and when radio was introduced in the 1930s, it became the primary communication media in the country.

Radio listener in Kailahun

The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) was created by the government in 1934 making it the earliest English language radio broadcaster service in West Africa. The service began broadcasting television in 1963, with coverage extended to all the districts in the country in 1978.
Print media is not widely read in Sierra Leone, especially outside Freetown, partially due to the low levels of literacy in the country. In 2007 there were 15 daily newspapers in the country, as well as those published weekly.
Among newspaper readership, young people are likely to read newspapers weekly and older people daily. The majority of newspapers are privately run and are often critical of the government. The standard of print journalism tends to be low due to lack of training, and people trust the information published in newspapers less than that found on the radio.

Isata Mahoi shown editing radio programmes in Talking Drum studio Freetown, she is also an actress in Sierra Leone radio soap opera Atunda Ayenda.

Radio is the most-popular and most-trusted media in Sierra Leone, with 85% of people having access to a radio and 72% of people in the country listening to the radio daily. The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) runs one of the most popular stations in the country, broadcasting programs in a range of languages. Content includes news of UN activities and human rights information, as well as music and news. The UN missions will withdraw in 2008 and the UN Radio's future is uncertain. There is also a government station run by the SLBS that transmits on FM and short-wave. FM relays of BBC World Service, Radio France Internationale and Voice of America are also broadcast.
Outside the capital Freetown television is not watched by a great many people. There are two national, free terrestrial television stations in Sierra Leone, one run by the government SLBS and the other a private station, ABC Television-Africa (ABC). In 2007, a pay-per-view service was also introduced by GTV as part of a pan-African television service in addition to the nine year old sub-Saharan Digital satellite television service (DStv) originating from Multichoice Africa in South Africa. Internet access in Sierra Leone has been sparse but is on the increase, especially since the introduction of wireless services across the country. The Sierra Leone constitution guarantees freedom of speech, and freedom of the press; however, the government maintains strong control of media, and at times restricts these rights in practice. Some subjects are seen as taboo by society and members of the political elite; imprisonment and violence have been used by the political establishment against journalists.

By Camilla M.

Culture: Sports

.Football

Football is by far the most popular sport in Sierra Leone. The national football team, popularly known as the Leone Stars, represents the country in international competitions. It has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but participated in the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations.  Some well known Sierra Leonean footballers include the team captain Mohamed Kallon, Julius Gibrilla Woobay, Al Bangura, Paul Kpaka, Rodney Strasser, Ahmed Deen, Samuel Barlay, Kewullay Conteh, Albert Jarrett and Kei Kamara.

--> Current squad:

 

The Sierra Leone National Premier League is the top football league, controlled by the Sierra Leone Football Association. The two biggest and most successful football clubs are East End Lions and Mighty Blackpool, but Kallon F.C. has enjoyed contemporary success.


.Cricket


The Sierra Leone cricket team represents Sierra Leone in international cricket competitions, and is among the best in West Africa. It became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council in 2002. It made its international debut at the 2004 African Affiliates Championship, where it finished last of eight teams. But at the equivalent tournament in 2006, Division Three of the African region of the World Cricket League, it finished as runner-up to Mozambique, and just missed a promotion to Division Two.

--> Current squad:

• Lansana Lamin (Captain)
• Abubakarr Kamara
• Emmanuel Pessima
• Abass Gbla
• Ibrahim Mansaray
• Ibrahim Kamara
• Ibrahim Kabia
• Julius Quee
• Brima Ansumana
• Edward Marah
• Mustapha Kallon
• Alie John Kamara
• George Kpundeh
• Solomon Fatoma

.Basketball


The Sierra Leone national basketball team represents Sierra Leone in international men's basketball competitions and is controlled by the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation. The squad is mostly home-based, with a few foreign players.

--> Current squad:

• Chris Bart-Williams (Tenerife Baloncesto - Spain)
• Trevor Turner (Cannon Royals - Sierra Leone)
• Ahmed Dahniya (Cannon Royals - Sierra Leone)
• Emmanuel Bassey (YSC - Sierra Leone)
• Ernest James Johnson (Cannon Royals - Sierra Leone)
• Mobido Lymon (Wilberforce Breakers - Sierra Leone)
• Octavius Jackson (Cannon Royals - Sierra Leone)
• Jerrold Hadson-Taylor (YSC - Sierra Leone)
• Muctar Kallay (YSC - Sierra Leone)
• Osman Jalloh (Wilberforce Breakers- Sierra Leone)
• Sam Brewah (YSC - Sierra Leone)
• Mamudu Lahai (YSC - Sierra Leone)
• Head Coach: Ali Hijazi

By Camilla M.

Culture: Religion

Followers of Islam are estimated to comprise 77% of Sierra Leone's population according to the US Department of State, with about 21% followers of Christianity, and 2% of the population practising indigenous animist beliefs. The 2007 UNHCR's "Report on International Religious Freedom in Sierra Leone" estimated 60% Muslim, 20 to 30% Christian and 5 to 10% other beliefs, with many citizens practising a mixture of Islam and traditional indigenous religious beliefs or Christianity and traditional indigenous beliefs. The Pew Research Center estimates the Muslim population at 71.3% (4,059,000). Muslims predominate in all of the country's three provinces and the Western Area, though formerly they were concentrated in the north with the south being mainly Christian. Another estimate puts Christianity in Sierra Leone at 30% of the population, with Islam at 60% and indigenous beliefs at 10%.
The constitution of Sierra Leone provides for freedom of religion and the government generally protects this right and does not tolerate its abuse.

By Camilla M.

Geography and Climate

Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa.The country is bordered by Guinea to the north and northeast, Liberia to the south and southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country has four distinct geographical regions. In eastern Sierra Leone the plateau is interspersed with high mountains, where Mount Bintumani reaches 1,948 m (6,391 ft), the highest point in the country.

Mount Bintumani

The centre of the country is a region of lowland plains, containing forests, bush and farmland, that occupies about 43% of Sierra Leone's land area. The national capital Freetown sits on a coastal peninsula, situated next to the Sierra Leone Harbour, the world's third largest natural harbour.
The climate is tropical, with two seasons determining the agricultural cycle: the rainy season from May to November, and a dry season from December to May, when cool, dry winds blow in off the Sahara Desert and the night-time temperature can be as low as 16 °C. The average temperature is 26 °C and varies from around 26 °C to 36 °C during the year.

By Keity Pimenta

Economy

Sierra Leone is slowly emerging from a protracted civil war and is showing signs of a successful transition. Investor and consumer confidence continue to rise, adding impetus to the country’s economic recovery. There is greater freedom of movement and the successful re-habitation and resettlement of residential areas.
Rich in minerals, Sierra Leone has relied on mining, especially diamonds, for its economic base. The country is among the top 10 diamond producing nations in the world. Mineral exports remain the main foreign currency earner. Sierra Leone is a major producer of gem-quality diamonds. Though rich in diamonds, it has historically struggled to manage their exploitation and export.

Diamond miners in Kono District

Annual production of Sierra Leone's diamond estimates range between $250–300 million US$. In October 2000, a UN-approved certification system for exporting diamonds from the country was put in place and led to a dramatic increase in legal exports. In 2001, the government created a mining community development fund (DACDF), which returns a portion of diamond export taxes to diamond mining communities. The fund was created to raise local communities stake in the legal diamond trade. By the 1990s economic activity was declining and economic infrastructure had become seriously degraded.

Over the next decade much of the formal economy was destroyed in the country’s civil war. Since the end of hostilities in January 2002, massive infusions of outside assistance have helped Sierra Leone begin to recover. Much of the recovery will depend on the success of the government's efforts to limit corruption by officials, which many feel was the chief cause for the civil war. A key indicator of success will be the effectiveness of government management of its diamond sector.
Despite its successes and development, the Sierra Leone economy still faces significant challenges. There is high unemployment, particularly among the youth and ex-combatants.

By Daiane Freire

Government and Politics

Within the confines of the 1991 Constitution, supreme legislative powers are vested in Parliament, which is the law making body of the nation. Supreme executive authority rests in the president and members of his cabinet and judicial power with the judiciary of which the Chief Justice is head.
To be elected president of Sierra Leone, a candidate must gain at least 55% of the vote. If no candidate gets 55%, there is to be a second-round runoff between the top two candidates.
The current president of Sierra Leone is Ernest Bai Koroma, who was sworn in on 17 September 2007, shortly after being declared the winner of a tense run-off election over the incumbent Vice president, Solomon Berewa of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).

Ernest Bai Koroma, current president of Sierra Leone

Next to the president is the vice president, who is the second-highest ranking government official in the executive branch of the Sierra Leone Government. The current vice-president is Samuel Sam-Sumana, sworn in on 17 September 2007.

Samuel Sam-Sumana

The Sierra Leone Supreme Court in Freetown is the highest and most powerful court in the country.

Sierra Leone Supreme Court

Since independence in 1961, Sierra Leone's politics has been dominated by two major political parties, the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), and the ruling All People's Congress (APC), although other minor political parties have also existed but with no significant supports.
The judicial power of Sierra Leone is vested in the judiciary, headed by the Chief Justice and comprising the Sierra Leone Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the country and its ruling therefore cannot be appealed; High Court of Justice; the Court of Appeal; the magistrate courts; and traditional courts in rural villages. The president appoints and parliament approves Justices for the three courts. The Judiciary have jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters throughout the country. The current Sierra Leone's Chief Justice is Umu Hawa Tejan Jalloh, who was appointed by President Ernest Bai Koroma and took office on 25 January 2008 upon her confirmation by parliament. She is the first woman in the history of Sierra Leone to hold such position.

Umu Hawa Tejan Jalloh

By Daiane Freire

* News *

Angelina Jolie laughed about his superstar status in Hollywood when she visited places around the globe where most women live in absolute poverty. Many of these people didn't know what was an actress.
The UNICEF ambassador says that wore the mantle of humility when she visited a group of refugees in Sierra Leone, and describing her work, people found it funny.

Jolie says:"They asked me, 'What do you do?" And I said,' I am an actress and they said, 'What is it?' I said, 'Well ... I dress in strange clothes and then I tell stories' ... and they found it very entertaining and they said,' What a crazy thing you do for a living’."

Angelina Jolie: Goodwill Ambassador of the High Commissioner of the United Nations

By Letícia Moy

Sierra Leone Civil War

Sierra Leone Civil War began in 1992, by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), under the command of Foday Sankoh. Tens of thousands of people died and more than 2 million people (well over a third of the population) were displaced by 10 years of conflict. Neighbouring countries have become host to a significant number of refugees fleeing the civil war. The end of the conflict was officially declared in January 18, 2002. ¹

Sierra Leone, who lived ten years of civil war until 2002, recorded more than 30 000 dead.²

By Letícia Moy

¹ --> http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerra_Civil_de_Serra_Leone
² --> http://revistamarieclaire.globo.com/Marieclaire/0,6993,EML510601-1740,00.html

The Beginning...

        It was a colony under the auspices of the Sierra Leone Company from March 11, 1792 until it became a british colony, in 1808. Sierra Leone is now a constitutional republic comprising with four geographical regions: the Northern Province, Eastern Province, Southern Province and the Western Area, which are further divided into fourteen districts.

        Freetown is the capital: largest city and economic and financial center. The other major cities are Bo, Kenema, Koidu Town and Makeni. Despite this natural wealth, the vast majority of its people live in poverty.

        Sierra Leone is a predominantly muslim nation, though with a significant christian minority. The country is home to about sixteen ethnic groups, each with its own language and costume. The two largest and most influential are the Mende and Temne. Unlike most african nations, Sierra Leone has no serious ethnic or religious divisions. People are often married across tribal and religious boundaries.

               The first habitants of Sierra Leone included: the Sherbro, Temne and Limba peoples, and later the Mende, who knew the country as Romarong, and the Kono who settled in the east of the country. In 1462, it was visited by the portuguese explorer, Pedro da Cintra, who dubbed it "Lion Mountains".

               Sierra Leone, later, became an important centre of the transatlantic trade in slaves until march 11, 1792, when Freetown was founded by the Sierra Leone Company as a home for formerly enslaved african americans. In 1808, Freetown became a British Crown Colony and, in 1896,  the interior of the country became a British Protectorate; in 1961, the two regions gained independence.

By Luana Rosa

http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_Leoa