Kuranko Ethenic Tribe in Sierra Leone - Ferensola

Kurankoya let's go out and, Register from September 3rd to October 4th 2022

HE IS HON. LAHAI MARAH. A KURANKO BY TRIBE.

Members Of Parliament
APC Political Party

Member Of Parliament for 042 Constituency, North Region.

Committees

Finance Committee

Transparency And Accountability Committee

Committee On Water Resources

Committee On Works And Public Assets

Biography

Profile: Honourable Lahai Marah

Born on 13th July 1984 in Falaba District
Northern Region of Sierra Leone. He is an accountant and economist as he is a holder of MSc.in Economics and MSc in Financial Accounting.

He became interested in politics in 2012 and contested for the Member of Parliament position for Constituency 042 under the All People’s Congress Party (APC). He became victorious and represented his people in the house of Parliament. Representing his people for five years well-made him ensure that legislation and oversight are done in their interest which helps transform their lives. As a matter of fact that he means good for his people, they have no choice but to allow him to take the mantle of leadership again for the second term. He contested and won the Parliamentary seat for Constituency 042 in the 2018 elections.

Honourable Lahai Marah was appointed as a Member of the appointment and public service committee in the house of Parliament. He is also a Member of the works housing and assets committee.

Honourable Lahai Marah believes that embarking on Farming will help solve the food crises in the Country. This is the reason why he and his people identified improved farming tools, a good Road network, and improved Health facilities as the major factors affecting them. He is a Member of Parliament who is doing his best in making sure that the above mention problems are addressees.

According to this demographic data collected from SL Census, the Kurankos are said to be the 3rd largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone. It's about time we the Koranko rise to take our rightful place. Our leadership has a lot to do to change the narratives.

He is Honourable Paramount Chief Balansama Alie Marah 11. He is the PCMP representing Koinadugu District the heartland of the Kuranko ethnic group in Sierra Leone.

He is Umaro Napoleon Koroma, a Kuranko by the tribe. He is the current deputy minister of Justice and Secretary General of the ruling SLPP Party in Sierra Leone.

He is Dr. Kaifala Marah, the first Kuranko man in the heartland of Sierra Leone to show interest to aspire for President of Sierra Leone to help ameliorate suffering of the Kuranko ethnic tribe. He was the former Bank Governor of Sierra Leone, former Minister of Finance, and former first Chief of Staff under the APC Leadership during the reign of Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. He was also a former 2018 Presidential Aspiring Candidate of the APC.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kuranko have the New Testament available to them. Unfortunately, however, only a small percentage of the Kuranko has become Christian.

There is a strong need for further evangelization into this socially isolated region.

Prayer is the first step toward seeing the Kuranko reached with the Gospel.

What Are Their Lives Like?

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. Fishing is usually done by the women, who use skilled and innovative methods for securing their catch. Chickens are kept by every family, and are used for gifts.

Childhood for a boy or girl lasts until puberty. 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.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Less than one-third of the Kuranko in Sierra Leone are Muslim. 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.

Introduction / History

The Kuranko, also known as the Koranko, are a branch of the Malinke tribe that immigrated into Sierra Leone from Guinea. The Kuranko, therefore, occupy a large section in both northern Sierra Leone and southern Guinea. Within this geographical region, different dialects, as well as distinct social groupings, can be found.

The different groups each have their own chiefs, traditions, and heritage. Some are hunters, some are warriors, some are traders. Some are pagan, while others follow Islamic belief. Tribal mixing and cultural mixing characterize Kuranko history.

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 have held on to their traditional culture and religion.