Kuranko people
Encyclopedia
The Kuranko, also known as the Koranko, are an ethnic group living in Sierra Leone
and Guinea
. The Koranko occupy a large section in mountainous region within northeastern Sierra Leone and southern Guinea . Within this geographical region, different dialects, as well as distinct social groupings can be found. In general, the Koranko are a peaceful people who have maintained a separate ethnic identity, despite years of tribal mixings. Each Kuranko village
is led by a chief
and a group of elders.
The Koranko speak the Kuranko language (or Koranko), a dialect of the Mende branch of the Niger–Congo language family. The Kuranko are nominally Muslim
and speak a language similar to the Mandinka language
.
Their language can be understood by their neighbor and close allies
the Mandinka
and the Susu people
.
The Kuranko occupy a mountainous region within the northeastern Sierra Leone highlands
, extending into Guinea
. This region lacks adequate road systems and is not easily accessible, leaving the Kuranko socially isolated. This may explain why most Kuranko have held on to their traditional culture and religion
.
Groundnuts are eaten by the Kuranko, but the highest source of protein comes from fish and meat. Fishing is usually done by the women, who use skilled and innovative methods for securing their catch. Hens and chickens are kept by every family, and are usually used for gifts.
. At this time, a ritual purification ceremony, called a biriye, ushers them into adulthood.
An adult is expected to show honor and respect for the customs of the Kuranko past. This may be demonstrated by joining various cult associations. The Gbansogoron ("cheek piercers") use self-inflicted pain as a way of showing bravery. The Segere is a women's cult that supports the rights of women.
Today, schooling has become a symbolic replacement for the cult system and initiation rituals. As literacy
and educational opportunities increase, perhaps the power of the cult societies will decrease.
. The majority of the remaining Kuranko follow their traditional ethnic religion.
The Kuranko sometimes think of the wild as opposite to village life, and they use animal metaphors to identify evildoers. Someone without faith is likened to a dog; one who steals is as a monkey; and a traitor is as a snake. The Kuranko believe that certain people can change into animals to harm others. Certain animals, such as the vulture, the bat, and the black cat symbolize witchcraft
.
The Kuranko believe that in the forests, the rivers, and the mountains live quasi-human beings known as Nyenne. These are "bush spirits," who are believed to influence Kuranko life in different ways.
The Nyenne are rarely seen but are somewhat feared. They are thought to live in the bush near the villages, and are said to live as humans: in houses with their families. A Kuranko will make a sacrifice to one of these Nyenne when clearing land for his farm. It is believed that the Nyenne can make women barren, cause insanity, and cause farming accidents. The Kuranko also believe that they can be friendly, bringing good fortune.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
and Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
. The Koranko occupy a large section in mountainous region within northeastern Sierra Leone and southern Guinea . Within this geographical region, different dialects, as well as distinct social groupings can be found. In general, the Koranko are a peaceful people who have maintained a separate ethnic identity, despite years of tribal mixings. Each Kuranko village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
is led by a chief
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
and a group of elders.
The Koranko speak the Kuranko language (or Koranko), a dialect of the Mende branch of the Niger–Congo language family. The Kuranko are nominally Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
and speak a language similar to the Mandinka language
Mandinka language
The Mandinka language is a Mandé language spoken by millions of Mandinka people in Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea-Bissau and Chad; it is the main language of The Gambia. It belongs to the Manding branch of Mandé, and is thus fairly...
.
Their language can be understood by their neighbor and close allies
Ally
Ally is a common unisex given name. It is a variant of Allie. It can also refer to:* Ally, a 1999 American TV sitcom that was a spin-off of Ally McBeal.* Ally Bank, an internet bank, formerly the banking unit of GMAC....
the Mandinka
Mandinka people
The Mandinka, Malinke are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa with an estimated population of eleven million ....
and the Susu people
Susu people
The Soso are a major Mande ethnic group living primarily in Guinea. Smaller communities are also located in the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone, Senegal and Mali. The Susu are descendants of the thirteenth century Mali Empire...
.
The Kuranko occupy a mountainous region within the northeastern Sierra Leone highlands
Highland (geography)
The term highland or upland is used to denote any mountainous region or elevated mountainous plateau. Generally speaking, the term upland tends to be used for ranges of hills, typically up to 500-600m, and highland for ranges of low mountains.The Scottish Highlands refers to the mountainous...
, extending into Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
. This region lacks adequate road systems and is not easily accessible, leaving the Kuranko socially isolated. This may explain why most Kuranko have held on to their traditional culture and religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
.
Economy
The Kuranko are primarily farmers. Rice is the main crop cultivated, and the money made from it barely covers the expenses of the family. Supplementary crops include corn, cotton, potato, pumpkin, and indigo. Each household also owns fruit trees around the village, which produce bananas, papaya, coconuts, and other fruits.Groundnuts are eaten by the Kuranko, but the highest source of protein comes from fish and meat. Fishing is usually done by the women, who use skilled and innovative methods for securing their catch. Hens and chickens are kept by every family, and are usually used for gifts.
Culture and Customs
To the Kuranko, a child is not considered to be a complete person and is considered impure. Childhood for a boy or girl lasts until pubertyPuberty
Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction, as initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads; the ovaries in a girl, the testes in a boy...
. At this time, a ritual purification ceremony, called a biriye, ushers them into adulthood.
An adult is expected to show honor and respect for the customs of the Kuranko past. This may be demonstrated by joining various cult associations. The Gbansogoron ("cheek piercers") use self-inflicted pain as a way of showing bravery. The Segere is a women's cult that supports the rights of women.
Today, schooling has become a symbolic replacement for the cult system and initiation rituals. As literacy
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
and educational opportunities increase, perhaps the power of the cult societies will decrease.
Religious and Traditional beliefs
Less than one-third of the Kuranko in Sierra Leone are MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
. The majority of the remaining Kuranko follow their traditional ethnic religion.
The Kuranko sometimes think of the wild as opposite to village life, and they use animal metaphors to identify evildoers. Someone without faith is likened to a dog; one who steals is as a monkey; and a traitor is as a snake. The Kuranko believe that certain people can change into animals to harm others. Certain animals, such as the vulture, the bat, and the black cat symbolize witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
.
The Kuranko believe that in the forests, the rivers, and the mountains live quasi-human beings known as Nyenne. These are "bush spirits," who are believed to influence Kuranko life in different ways.
The Nyenne are rarely seen but are somewhat feared. They are thought to live in the bush near the villages, and are said to live as humans: in houses with their families. A Kuranko will make a sacrifice to one of these Nyenne when clearing land for his farm. It is believed that the Nyenne can make women barren, cause insanity, and cause farming accidents. The Kuranko also believe that they can be friendly, bringing good fortune.
Notable Kuranko people
- Sheku Tejan Koroma, current Sierra Leone minister of Health
- Minkailu MansarayMinkailu MansarayMinkailu Mansaray is a Sierra Leonean politician and the country's Minister of Labour, Employment and Social security. Mansaray had served as a member of the Parliament of Sierra Leone representing the Western Area Rural District in 2002-2005. He is a member of the Mandingo ethnic group.-External...
, current Sierra Leone's minister of Labor and employment - Sheka Mansaray, Sierra Leonean poet and writer
- Mohamed Rashid, Sierra Leonean football star
- Dr. Sam Kargbo, Assistant Director of Curriculum & Educational Studies, State University College of New York, USA