APRIL 2019 HIGHLIGHTS FROM SIERRA LEONE
Here are a few highlights of what I've been up to this month in Sierra Leone. Enjoy the post!
Visiting Bonthe
This month I had the opportunity to visit Bonthe Island in Bonthe District with new tour agency ‘
Tours’. They create experiences for people who are interested in exploring Sierra Leone. Bonthe is an old island located in the Southern Region of Sierra Leone. More details about my trip to Bonthe is on its way very soon!
Discovering Mania Beach
During my trip to Bonthe I visited Mania Beach that is 30 minutes from Bonthe via boat. Mania Beach is a Sherbro Island inhabited by four hundred people only. I love discovering new places in Sierra Leone, Mania is peaceful and worth visiting if you are in the region.
Sierra Leone’s Independence Day
This was my first year in Sierra Leone during the Independence. This year marked the 58
th
year of Independence since British rule for Sierra Leone. It was great to witness the patriotism amongst Sierra Leoneans.
John Akar Foundation Cultural Festival
The John Akar Foundation is an annual event that takes place on the date of Sierra Leone’s Independence Day (27
th
April). The event is named after John Akar the composer of the Sierra Leone anthem and former Ambassador of the United States of America. The day had multiple stalls and local businesses vendor alongside games and craft activities for children to participate in.
'Na Ya Wi Komot' Art Exhibition
This is the first art exhibition I have attended in Sierra Leone. I hope they do more; the exhibition showcased the work of Sierra Leonean artists Hawa Bangura, Julius Parker and more at Lumley in Freetown. The title of the exhibition is in Krio, the local language spoken in Sierra Leone. It translates in English, as ‘This is where we are from’.
Stadium Trade Fair
Each Christmas and Easter season, multiple vendors come together to sell at their products at one location, which is the national stadium. This was my first visit to the stadium this year. What I enjoyed most was that there were also vendors from neighbouring West African countries such as Ghana and Mali.
