Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the Indigenous peoples of Sierra Leone, the Kono, Krio, Themne, and Lamba communities, and their vital role as stewards of the land and waters. In Sierra Leone, these groups, despite constituting a small percentage of the national population, have long practiced traditional methods of land conservation that benefit not just their own communities but the entire ecosystem they inhabit. However, the challenges they face, particularly from environmental degradation caused by mining and deforestation, continue to threaten their way of life and the environment they protect.
Across the globe, Indigenous communities represent less than 5 percent of the world’s population but manage nearly 40 percent of the world’s intact ecosystems. In Sierra Leone, this relationship between the land and its people is vividly exemplified in the lives of the Kono, Themne, Lamba, and Krio people. For centuries, these communities have lived in harmony with nature, following sustainable farming practices, preserving forests, and protecting watersheds. Their traditional knowledge and custodianship are critical to preserving biodiversity in the country’s rich ecosystems.
The Kono people, native to Sierra Leone’s eastern province, are particularly known for their ancestral ties to the land. The region’s lush forests, once thriving with biodiversity, have been subjected to large-scale mining operations that have stripped the earth of its resources. Despite this, Kono communities continue to hold cultural ceremonies to honor the land, planting trees and promoting conservation efforts.
Similarly, the Themne, Krio, and Lamba communities have maintained long-standing relationships with their environments. The Themne, who reside in the northern regions, are known for their farming traditions and knowledge of water management. The Krio people, while often seen as urban dwellers, have strong cultural roots in protecting coastal ecosystems and mangroves, which are essential in mitigating climate change impacts. The Lamba people, though smaller in number, have deep-rooted practices of maintaining forested areas and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
However, Sierra Leone’s rich natural resources, particularly diamonds and other minerals, have drawn the interest of mining companies, leading to widespread deforestation and environmental destruction. The Kono district, known for its diamond mines, has borne the brunt of this devastation. Once abundant with trees and wildlife, large swaths of land have been cleared, leaving behind barren landscapes, polluted rivers, and soil erosion. The traditional livelihoods of the Kono people, which rely heavily on the land, are in peril.
While mining has brought some economic benefits, it has also caused long-lasting damage. The Lamba and Themne communities, who rely on farming and small-scale agriculture, have seen their lands depleted by logging and deforestation, with forest ecosystems destroyed to make way for mining infrastructure. Rivers that once sustained both people and wildlife are now polluted with toxic waste, rendering them unusable for drinking or irrigation.
As these communities fight to preserve their lands, they face opposition from corporations and government policies that prioritize short-term economic gains over environmental sustainability and Indigenous rights. The people of Kono and neighboring regions are often left without the resources or political backing to assert their land rights against powerful commercial interests.
Despite these challenges, Indigenous communities remain resilient, and their traditional knowledge holds the key to restoring and protecting Sierra Leone’s natural environment. The Kono people, for example, have long practiced agroforestry, integrating tree planting with farming to ensure long-term soil health. This technique could play a significant role in reversing the damage caused by mining-related deforestation.
The Themne’s intricate knowledge of water management is vital in addressing the increasingly erratic rainfall patterns caused by climate change. By utilizing their systems of irrigation and sustainable fishing, they have been able to maintain a delicate balance with their environment, ensuring that resources are not depleted.
One thing is abundantly clear When Indigenous Peoples have the right to govern their land, nature flourishes. Studies have shown that areas managed by Indigenous communities experience less deforestation and are more resilient to environmental threats. In Sierra Leone, as in many parts of the world, the empowerment of Indigenous groups to maintain control over their territories is crucial for the long-term health of the environment.
This is why partnering with Indigenous Peoples and local communities is essential for any meaningful conservation work. Organizations like Conservation International recognize this, with their mission rooted in supporting Indigenous land rights as a way to protect biodiversity and combat climate change.
As the world confronts the dual crises of environmental degradation and climate change, Indigenous knowledge and governance offer sustainable solutions that benefit all of humanity. Ensuring that the Kono, Themne, Krio, and Lamba communities have the legal recognition and resources they need to protect their lands is not just a matter of justice; it is a critical step in safeguarding Sierra Leone’s environmental future.
On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we must recognize the role that Indigenous communities play in caring for the lands and waters that benefit all of humanity. In Sierra Leone, the Kono, Krio, Themne, and Lamba peoples are on the front lines of the fight against environmental destruction caused by mining and deforestation. They are the stewards of the land, and their voices must be heard and their rights upheld if we are to preserve the rich biodiversity of this country for future generations.