Introduction

Although falling linguistically into two distinct groups, the peoples of Sierra Leone Protectorate have today many cultural features in common. Factors which have led to this uniformity include long association with Mohaimedan Fula and Mandinka, who, while possessing no corporate terri­ torial rights, have settled throughout the Protectorate; the dominating influence of the larger tribes, especially the Mende and Temne, on their smaller neighbours; and, more recently, contact with Europeans. How­ ever, the tribes may for convenience be considered in the following four groups, within which the separate peoples are connected by traditions of origin and considerable mutual contact :-

I. Mende and Lokko.