ABSTRACT
During the 1920s the Temne in Freetown formed a succession of so-called 'social societies' of a partly or wholly religious character, resembling the so-called 'literary societies' of the Mandinka. The original members composed a number of songs in Temne and devised a new kind of dance. Matters moved rapidly and, while the Arabic teacher was absent from Freetown, they formed a society called the Ambas Geda. The Arabic teacher was connected by kin and profession with the orthodox Muslim group who were conservative in tribal politics, and his company came to represent this party and to be the political opponent of the Ambas Geda. The Temne company was named the Alimania and, in addition to what was called the 'social section', it had a 'literary section' in which members were taught to read the Qur'an. The conflict between the older and younger generations and between the respective companies was expressed in some of the companies' song .
