Children of Dama Road - 1969

These kids from Dama Road were Mamie and Pa Conteh's children.

Full Moon - Kenema

Baby Victor

This child is now about 41 years old. My negative is labeled as "Baby Victor" but other than that I have no memory of him, nor do I have any record as to who he was/is. As I have said on a number of my prior postings I became the neighborhood photographer up on Dama Road when people learned that I had a small dark room and that I gave away the pictures that I took. I assume that this must have gone to the parents of my little friend Victor. If anyone out there can help with further info on Victor, write me. As usual you can click on this photo in order to make it bigger.

WeOwnTV - continued [see yesterday's posting]

check these clips produced by WeOwnTV - these are incredible people with even more incredible experiences: 

http://www.weowntv.org/node/50

A Note From Zach Niles on the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars and about "WeOwnTV"

This note below came to me and is self-explanatory. Having seen his picture a while ago - it was very moving. And now having seen the Refugee All Stars in person this past Friday I am impressed. Please Read his note ---->

"Hi Chad, 
My name is Zach Niles - I made the documentary film about Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars [see my 6-26-2009 posting below] and now co-manage the band. I'm now working on a new project to teach filmmaking skills to young adults in Sierra Leone, the "lost generation" that you so accurately describe in your blog post. The project is called "WeOwnTV" (www.weowntv.org) and participants range from ex-child soldiers in Makeni to teen prostitutes in Kono and orphaned street kids in Freetown. We spent January in country interviewing over 60 different applicants (there's personal interviews inline of the 16 kids that we've chosen). We are madly in fundraising for the first stage of the workshop to take place in August of this year - and in the spirit of leaving no stone unturned, I thought I'd reach out to you to see if you may have thoughts, or a network you'd be able to spread the word to. I am now based in Woodstock, VT (where I was born and raised)and would welcome any thoughts you might have. Thank you for your time, for your kind words about the All Stars and for, like myself, keeping sweet Salone in your heart. "

All best,
Zach Niles
zachniles@mac.com

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see: http://www.weowntv.org/    This site is a gem!   Have a look.

Mama Nancy

Mama Nancy

Mama Nancy and Granddaughter

Mama Nancy with family

MAMA NANCY was somehow related to my friend Patrick Garlough.  As my neighbors became aware of my dark room and that I gave away free pictures lots of people began asking me to take their picture.  As I remember it, Mama Nancy lived on the other side of Kenema from us - perhaps near Hanga Road.  Patrick may have had a girlfriend there and Mama Nancy may have been her grandmother.  I never did quite get the relationship.  One afternoon Patrick and I went to her house to take pictures of her, and of some of her children and grandchildren.  I do remember that she only spoke Mende, and that Patrick did most of the talking and translating with her.  These photos were taken in 1969 in Kenema. [click on pictures to enlarge]

Thoughts on Sierra Leone

After yesterday's Sierra Leone Refugee All-stars performance across the River in Hanover I have been thinking of the country where Susan and I began our life together.  Those two years have had a major impact on my life.  Over forty years now I have followed things Sierra Leonean almost as if this was my second home.  When the War fell down on Sierra Leone I followed as best as one could in the newspapers and on the Sierra Leone Web. Although I had been aware of political issues and troubles while we lived in Sierra Leone, this 11 year War was at first surprising.  What was clear was the undercurrent of turmoil in the youth who had little in the way of a future, in a country with little in the way of infrastructure, and in a country with no money to help out.  This undercurrent of dissatisfaction coupled with marginal conditions, and driven by  blood diamonds to finance weaponry not before seen in Sierra Leone (except in the movies), and by psychopaths who led the charge - this War swirled out of control as rape, use of child soldiers, mutilations, and sexual "slavery", deprivation, and greed became the policy of rebel movements. This was behavior that heretofore had been alien to Sierra Leone.  Sierra Leone, although a poor country, had historically sent its educated elite all over West Africa to bring education to others. It had spawned one of the first institutions for higher education (Fourah Bay College) in Africa. Many of its citizenry went on to be leaders in other countries. However, the problems of poverty and hopelessness were hard if not impossible to overcome. Disenchanted youth made the country ripe for revolution but the horror that resulted leaves many still puzzled today.  What was needed was a peaceful economic revolution to put Sierra Leone back on the right road.  The horrific War that instead took place siding brother against brother, and young against old just left the country "circling the drain."  A generation has been lost in the process and a populace is left scarred forvever.  But Sierra Leoneans are resilient. They will make a comeback. The country has lost many of its best and brightest as the War and Sierra Leone diaspora has led to large Sierra Leonean populations now living elsewhere.  And as children have grown up in places like the States or the UK, or Canada they have become less connected with their roots (at least to some degree) and identify less with a country that they have heard of but not experienced.  Whether, as things improve in Sierra Leone, Sierra Leoneans will migrate back to home to provide the many talents necessary to transform the country remains to be seen.  To uproot families again, and head back to a life of uncertainties is a hard row to hoe.  

The Wonderful Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars visit Hanover, N.H.

Today the Sierra Leone Refugee All-stars came to Hanover, New Hampshire [Dartmouth College] to entertain on the Green. Here are some photos from their performance.  It was great to hear hi-life again. Their performance was lively and very well received. At the Green we met Tom  and Jill Hull.  Tom was a Peace Corps volunteer in primary education from 1968-70, and who has been in the foreign service  (he was ambassador to Sierra Leone from 2004-2007). Tom is now teaching at Simmons College in Boston where he has an endowed chair.  Jill was a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone (Port Loko) from 1969-71.  It was fun to reconnect after all these years. 

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see: http://www.pangeaday.org/filmDetail.php?id=12

see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSgY6n_ek_g

also see this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT5M8SHgT6k&feature=response_watch

and to listen: http://fb.ilike.com/artist/Sierra+Leone%27s+Refugee+All+Stars/track/Let+We+Do+We+Own

to listen: http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/artist/Sierra+Leone%27s+Refugee+All+Stars/track/Living+Like+a+Refugee?_fb_q=1

to listen: http://fb.ilike.com/artist/Sierra+Leone%27s+Refugee+All+Stars/track/Soda+Soap

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from their website:  Near the turn of the 21st century, rebel forces attacked Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, forcing a panicked mass exodus to neighboring countries. Among the thousands who fled were musicians and future band mates Reuben Koroma and Francis Lamgba (Franco) who connected in a refugee camp in Guinea, West Africa. Along with Reuben’s wife Grace they began making music for their fellow refugees, providing a welcome distraction to life in the camps. Safety in the Kalia camp quickly disintegrated, however, when it came under attack from the Guinean army and citizenry. The refugees in this camp were evacuated and relocated to a camp set deep in the remote Guinean countryside. It was here that, thanks to a Canadian refugee aid organization, the developing band was able to acquire the rusted-out sound system and beat up electric guitars that helped officially launch the group.

It was also in this camp that American documentary filmmakers Banker White and Zach Niles along with Canadian singer-songwriter Chris Velan encountered the group, which by that point also included Black Nature, a teenaged orphan with a gift for rap, as well as Abdulrahim Kamara (Arahim) and Mohamed Bangura (Medo), both of whom had had limbs amputated by the rebels. The first-time filmmakers followed the band for three years as they moved from camp to camp. While filming, the United Nations sponsored a trip for the group to return to Freetown so they could see for themselves that the war was indeed over and safe for thousands of refugees to return home. As part of the trip, the UNHCR offered the band the opportunity to make their first studio recordings, which led to leader Reuben Koroma uniting the core group from the refugee camp with his former band mates,The Emperors, many of whom had remained in Freetown during the war. Together they recorded their debut album as Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. The current touring lineup features members of both entities.

Now Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars tour the world spreading their message of peace and love in a "can't help but dance" show that fans from all musical backgrounds can enjoy. With a spirited fusion of traditional West African music, roots reggae and rhythmic traditional folk, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars craft music that transforms and uplifts. 

[click on photos to enlarge]

HRSS Kenema Holiday Show Dec. 1969

In August 1968 when we arrived at the then newly established Holy Rosary Secondary School in Kenema there was one form (Form I - probably equivalent to the 1st year of high school in the States) and less than 40 students.  The school was obviously small - was well-run and well-equipped - and the students were great fun to teach. I have other postings in this regard.  In 1969 there were two forms (Form I and Form II) and probably about 60 + students.  I have learned that HRSS-Kenema is now a very large school of about 2500 students. I personally find this hard to fathom as there would have had to have been a massive building program to accomodate this many students.  If there is anyone who can fill me in in this regard I would appreciate it.  Susan and I were the only lay teachers in those days (1968-70).  Susan taught English and History, and I taught Math and General Science.  In those days there were also two classes of the Teacher's Training College. They were the only students living on the school compound (the secondary school students boarded with folks in Kenema). School fees were high and usually paid for by hard working parents. I would also appreciate it if anyone from that era could let me know how much school fees were in those days (in Leones). 

CHECK OUT ROGER HIRSCHLAND'S SITE

I found this site  interesting - it describes a Peace Corp volunteers experiences in Sierra Leone from 1965 to 1967.   See what you think -----> As PCVs we have all had similar experiences!

http://www.peacecorp.gov/wws/multimedia/slideshows/srl_hirsch.cfm

Salia Koroma

taken in Kenema in 1969

[click on photo to enlarge]

SALIA KOROMA:  

Salia Koroma was born in Segbwema although his parents had come from Kpa-Mende country. As a young man, Salia's father left him in the care of his mother while he went to seek his fortune elsewhere. Salia was anxious to go to school but his uncles, who were responsible for him in the absence of his father, did not feel disposed to send him to school. Rather, they sent their own children. The young Salia therefore went in search of his father whom he finally found at Boajibu in the Sembaru Chiefdom. He expressed his desire for education and his father promised that he would indeed "send him to school." He then proceeded to give young Salia an accordion and said, "This is your school."

Salia was bitterly disappointed at first, but on the insistence of his father he settled down to playing the accordion "to the warriors and not for Europeans." From then on, Salia took his "education" seriously. Through hard work, determination and an innate poetic talent, he taught himself to play the accordion. Although his father was a renowned accordionist himself, Salia learnt by his own experience. He spoilt many accordions in the process but his father always bought him a new one.

Gradually, Salia's reputation began to spread, first in Mendeland and later all over Sierra Leone. He travelled from place to place entertaining chiefs and people with his stories and songs. After serving several chiefs, he moved to Rotifunk where he was court entertainer to Chief Albert Caulker for some time. After his stay in Rotifunk, he moved to Moyamba to work for the famous Chief Julius Gulama.

Always searching for knowledge and true to the spirit of minstrels, Salia was constantly on the move. He eventually ended up in Freetown where he joined the Sierra Leone Police Force until the outbreak of the Second World War. Up to this day, Salia remembers distinctly that his number in the police force was 377. His police duties did not stop him from playing the accordion.

Salia has composed hundreds of songs and entertained people in all walks of life all over the country. He has been a symbol of the artist in our traditional society, and he has spent all his life trying to establish the fact that there is dignity in art especially indigenous art. He is disappointed that Sierra Leone does not give enough appreciation to the efforts of indigenous artists. But he remains optimistic, and believes that even in his old age, he can still contribute to his art and to the nation's cultural development.

from:  http://www.sierra-leone.org/heroes10.html 

on the Sierra Leone Web

also see:  http://nikiibu.wordpress.com/

Dancing with the Devil

Taken in 1970 at the village just outside Kenema called Tokpombu, here a few women dance with the Bondo Devil while others, including Susan, look on. [click on picture to enlarge it]

Kenema Teacher's Training College Class 1970

We taught the last few classes of the Kenema Teacher's Training College (TTC).  These were good students, and future leaders in education in Sierra Leone. I am not sure why but the Kenema TTC was closing and the TTC school compound was  by 1968 changing to a secondary school (Holy Rosary Secondary School - Kenema). I suspect that many of the TTC students that we taught went on to become leading educators.  The picture above was taken of one group and although I remember many of their names I do not remember all.  If there is anyone following this blog who may be able to provide the names for this group I would appreciate it. I do know Juliana Bio, Cecilia Jah, Anna Clark, Josephine Jones, and Dolly Peters. I am unable to retrieve the others. Help out if you can. 

Families at Tokpombu

Photos taken in the village of Tokpombu Nongowa at the time of a celebration (Bundu) in 1969. I was asked to take these pictures (I had my camera). The young girls in white dresses - too young to be "Bundu Girls" were part of a "pre-Bundu" ceremony. Tokpombu was a small village on Dama Road on the outskirts of Kenema and about 1/2 mile from where our house was. 

Two Devils at Bitema

Taken at Bitema in Nongowa Chiefdom of Kenema District - I rarely saw two devils together as in this picture. 1969

Pa Tucker and Bockarie

This photo taken of "Pa Tucker and Bockarie" was taken in Kenema - one of my many neighborhood photos that I took in the late 1960's.  I can not remember these two but will seek help from some Kenema friends to see if they can remember who Mr. Tucker was. 

Construction Crew - at HRSS - 1970

This photo shows the construction crew at work on the Holy Rosary Secondary School Compound in 1970.  The school compound had been the Kenema Teacher's Training College but by 1970 there was only one class left as the TTC was winding down. The new HRSS secondary school was expanding as this photo shows with new class room construction necessary to accommodate the future forms (by 1970 HRSS had two forms).  In this photo the construction crew (from Bo area) is shown with the construction boss on the right (I do not remember his name). In the photo in the white shirt holding the metal support is school carpenter Joseph Fobie. In the background can be seen the school athletic field and beyond that a few houses in a neighborhood in Kenema. 

Bondo at Dama Road - Kenema

above: Bondu women celebrate in front of #55 Dam Rd - Dama Road looking toward Kenema. That's Mrs. Porter's (Elizabeth Porter) house in the background.

1. above - taken in backyard at #55 Dama Rd - here women celebrate as part of the Bondu. In background is the kitchen for #55.

2. above - again in backyard at #55 Dama Road at about same time as 1st picture. That is Mama Hawa on left looking at camera with Bonya standing over her right shoulder.

3. above - taken in front of #55 Dama Rd. That's Dama Road running by as Bondo Devil heads out on road.

The above photos were taken at or around #55 Dama Road in Kenema. They were taken in 1969. [double click on any picture to enlarge it]

Bondo at Foindu Nongowa I

Taken at the small village of Foindu in Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District, Eastern Province here a woman that I remember was named Massa leads the Bondo Devil and women in a parade of the village. Dressed festively in white these elders of the Bondo Society paraded around the village before settling with the devil at a prominant house. There are other pictures of this that have been previously posted. Photo probably taken in 1969.

Bondo Girl at Bitema (Nongowa)

This very serious Bondo Girl was the only initiate from the village of Bitema in 1969. In this photo the Bondo Spirit (aka Devil) seems to be protective of this young initiate as she sits for the photo. Village women look on in the background. The Bondo Devil was a women's society icon very typical of the Mende Secret Women's Society. The Helmet mask seen here and typical of this devil was always beautifully carved and then dyed black. The devils "clothes" were made of indigo dyed raffia from the raffia palm tree. I took a series of pictures (also posted elsewhere) of this young girl. She is wearing the typical dress of one stage of Bondo initiation. In those days Bondo initiation upcountry was still a serious business. It was my observation that a young country woman was not considered for proper marriage until she had been through Bondo training. This was perhaps not true of young women brought up in the Christian tradition. My observations in this regard were that the Christian religion tended to frown on some of these native traditions, which sometimes led to young women joining the Bondo Society in secret or even denying that they had been initiated. There were certainly some young women who were not members of the Bondo Society but the more country tradition of joining the Bondo was still strong. The Bondo taught homemaking, childcare, cooking, responsibility, music (singing), and community. The training could take long - sometimes 3 months in some areas - and when over a young girl would be considered eligible for marriage. The training was done in the "Bondo Bush" an area set aside only for the young girls to be trained and usually proximate but seperate from the village. Whether education and religion had a negative impact on the Bondo I can not comment, but certainly Bondo thrived in the area we lived in, in the late 1960's.

View of Kenema - panorama

Taken from a hill near the small village of Bitema outside Kenema, this somewhat raw image shows Kenema (looking to the north) with the Kambuhi Hills in the background.  The red circle indicates the approximate area of our house. [double click to enlarge]

Teacher Amara brushing his farm

Teacher Amara brushes his farm with his machete. In those days there was no mechanization. Farm work was (and probably still is) laborious. Notice how thick the brush is - this is very typical of an upland farm. After cutting the brush - the next step is to burn the brush. These cleared areas are then planted with rice seed on soil similar to what you see in this picture at Teacher Amara's feet. This is hard work!

On a hot and humid Sunday Teacher Amara came to our house to take me to the bush where he had been given land to make a farm. A primary school teacher, Teacher Amara's salary was limited and when this plot came up he jumped at the opportunity to plant rice. Rice farming on the upland is hard and here he is shown brushing the bush to get it ready to burn as the first step in getting his farm ready for planting. Teacher Amara was personable.  I offerred my help which although genuine on my part was a personal mistake. My hands were not used to the hard work - they were not tough enough. I did own a machete that I had made in nearby Tokpombu. However the blisters that I soon developed made the work close to impossible and after about a half hour of my brushing I was forced to give up as my hand was turning to raw meat. Oh well - Teahcer Amara appreciated my attempt although I must admit that my hand remained sore and raw for a few weeks.  

Limba Man with palm wine heading to Kenema

look carefully in one of the palm trees to the left and you will see the young man below up in the tree, tapping it for palm wine. Below is the same person. [click on photo to enlarge]

Taken near Foindu Jct. [the junction of the road to Foindu with Dama Road] I watched this young man climb a palm tree, collect the palm wine in his boulie (dried gourd) and then climb down and head to Kenema to sell his wares. The tree he had been working on can be seen to the right of this photo in the background.  When I asked him if I could take his picture he agreed. He is seen with his climbing harness (over his right shoulder), his tool for poking a hole into the top of the palm tree, and with a gourd filled with fresh palm wine.   He was of the Limba Ethnic group and lived in a small village not far from our house called Limba Corner.  The Limba in our area did many jobs - but one that they seemed involved in more than others was the selling of palm wine.  They carried the wine in these gourd to market, two gourds balanced on the end of a stick balanced well on their shoulder.  On a hot day palm wine, which I thought had a very yeasty taste to it, could be very thirst quenching.    

Mama Hawa's Sister

The above series are pictures of Mama Hawa's sister - a woman I did not really know but who I was asked to photograph. 

Mama Hawa was a neighbor and also an elder leader in the area Bundu Society. She and Mama Hokey seemed to be intimately involved with the planning that was a part of the Bundu Society in our area. She was a strong personality.  I became the neighborhood photographer when people got wind of the fact that I had a small darkroom and was willing to take pictures of people.  The cost to me was minimal and thus I was asked to make many pictures, all of which I would then print and give to my neighbors.  There are some already posted that show Mama Hawa and her daughter and grandchildren. This picture (the negative) I have labeled as "Mama Hawa's sister." My best recollection is that Mama Hawa asked me to take this one.  Her sister was older and did not speak Krio. Mama Hawa acted as interpreter the day I went to take her picture (my Mende was not good enough).  I seem to also remember that she was not well.  After taking this I printed up a few and gave them to Mama Hawa to distribute. 

Mama Hawa was typically a strong personality like most of the older women in our area.  Strong, proud, and smart, she often put me in my place when I would be walking about visiting people.  It was through Mama Hokey that we got to know her.  

Patrick Garlough

Patrick and I traveled many a bush trail as he showed me the area, taught me about Mende culture and ways, and was our friend.  He came from east of Kenema and  worked from time to time on the HRSS and TTC compound as a laborer.  He had been to secondary school but left early due to no school fees.  Of all our Sierra Leone friends I spent most time with Patrick. Generous, he asked for nothing.  I think he was about my age in those years, he spoke English well-enough and from time to time we spoke in Krio.  As we traveled about he would teach me words for things we saw in Mende.  His family to the east had been intimately involved in the "Hut Tax War" at the turn of the century - a war of rebellion against the British tax on houses in his area. He was my good friend. I have no idea as to what happened to him. Did he survive the war? Is he alive today? Does he have family? 

Angelor Lemor and son

Angelor Lemor was one of our Teacher's Training Students. She was a wonderful person, and good student, and during our 2nd year she gave birth to a son. I am told by Sister Celia (Holy Rosary Sisters - retired) that he has become a priest.  Angelor was a hard worker, very committed to teaching, very serious, and very earnest.  I often wonder how she did - but I suspect that given her work ethic she is doing fine. This photo was taken in either late 1969 or in 1970. 

More about Mende poet/troubador Salia Koroma

Nikiibu's site------->

http://nikiibu.wordpress.com/

check this wonderful site out. Listen to the many wonderful songs posted on this site.   I had the luck of meeting Salia Koroma (see prior postings) and in the 1960's was also lucky enough to have appreciate and listened to his singing. In those days I also was aware of how important he was as a singer.  My friend Nikiibu has this wonderful analytic site about Mr. Koroma. Anyone who is interested in Mende culture would find this site very worthwhile. Nikiibu's analysis of Salia Koroma is a fascinating read.  

a song of Salia's : [from Nikiibu]

http://www.box.net/shared/g9sd6sb81c

Joe Williams with family and radio

The above photos were taken in Foindu Nongowa. Joe Williams was a laborer who on one of my Foindu visits asked me to take a picture of him and his wife and daughter. I agreed to do it and he got into his dress clothes, then pulled out his radio and sat in front of his house. I gave them a copy of these pictures. Taken in 1969. 

Pa Sam at his farmhouse near Vaama Nongowa

This is perhaps the most favorite of all the pictures that I took while in Sierra Leone. It was a cloudy day with rain off and on. The weather was typical of the end of the rainy season in upcountry Sierra Leone. Pa Sam was a hard working man from the small village of Vaama in Nongowa Chiefdom. He was serious, a man of few words, yet like many folks I knew, confident and capable. Each year he and his wife Massa would "make farm" on a hill side near their village (and near the River Moa). He grew upland or "Mende" rice (to his left rice is seen nearing ready for harvest a few weeks away) and usually his plot was quite large. Although most of his work was done alone, from time to time family members would come and help out, and in return receive rice when the harvest was in. I do remember one Sunday in which, Emile Garlough, Alfred Garlough, Patrick Garlough, and Peace Corps Volunteer named Mike Maurizzi, and I went out to give Pa Sam some help. I was of little help and Emile was perhaps the hardest worker. In the heat at midday Pa Sam climbed up and obtained palm wine for us. By this time my hand was useless with blisters, but I remember how thirst quenching the palm wine was. Although we did not get drunk, I certainly did get a bit tipsy from the palm wince that was shared.

In this photo, Pa Sam sits on a log support of his farm house, a shelter from sun and rain during farming. With the coming of the rains it gets damp and relatively cool - for this reason Pa Sam has his overcoat hanging. There is also an umbrella which would come in handy on the road home if the rain got heavy. On the log and to Pa Sam's right is a sling for throwing stones. This was used effectively to drive the birds away so that they would not eat the rice seed. In the left of this picture, and on the ground, is my red airline camera bag. With two cameras inside - one for color slides, and one for black and white, I traveled all over our area, almost never without a camera. The growing of rice on the upland began first just before the rains with slash and burning of an area. The seed was then broadcasted and scratched into the soil using an adze. Rice grew quickly from April through October when the rains would be heavy. Then with the coming of the dry season - the rice would brown and be harvested. Pa Sam was generous with his family. Due to the large size of his usual planting he usually had enough rice to share about. [if you want to see a larger version of this picture double click on it]