Who is a Creole?

The term Creole is used to refer to descendants of Settlers and Liberated Africans in Sierra Leone and to others who had cultivated their habits and had come to accept their way of living.

From Creoledom, A Study on the Development of Freetown Society
Arthur T Porter
London, Oxford University Press, 1963

Creole Society Stratification 1787 – 1870

Creole development 1787 - 1870

Timeline of Events in the Founding of Sierra Leone

Mid-15th Century:

  • Portuguese explorers, including Pedro da Sintra, arrive on the “Upper Guinea Coast,” naming the area Serra Lyoa after its mountains.
  • The Portuguese establish trading posts and engage in trade for slaves, ivory, and gold.
  • Cultural exchange and intermarriage between Portuguese traders and natives leads to a significant Afro-Portuguese community.

Early to Mid-17th Century:

  • The British arrive and begin establishing a presence alongside the Portuguese.
  • Both British and Portuguese engage in the slave trade.
  • “Mulattoes” or mixed-race individuals gain power within the existing social structure.

Late 18th Century (1770s-1790s):

  • 1771: Henry Smeathman, a British abolitionist, proposes a free settlement for freed slaves in Sierra Leone.
  • 1787: Granville Sharp, another philanthropist, establishes the “Province of Freedom” in Sierra Leone, settling freed slaves from London.
  • 1787: Captain Thompson purchases land from local Temne chief King Tom for the settlement, which becomes Granville Town (part of modern-day Freetown).
  • 1792: Over 1,100 “Nova Scotians” arrive in Sierra Leone. John Clarkson of the Royal Navy becomes the first Governor.
  • September 1794: The French destroy Freetown. Survivors rebuild the settlement.

Early 19th Century (1800-1820s):

  • 1800: 550 “Maroons” originally destined for the Banana Islands are settled in Sierra Leone to quell a local rebellion.
  • 1807: Britain officially abolishes the slave trade.
  • 1808-1864: Large numbers of “Liberated Africans” or “Recaptives” are brought to Freetown by the British Navy after being freed from slave ships. These recaptives come from a wide variety of regions and ethnicities.
  • 1820s: A significant influx of Yoruba people begins, likely due to the Yoruba Wars.

Late 19th Century:

  • Sierra Leone continues to grow, with Freetown becoming a significant trading center.
  • The Krio language and culture develop as the diverse communities in Sierra Leone interact and blend.

20th Century:

  • 1961: Sierra Leone gains independence.

Cast of Characters

  • Pedro da Sintra: Portuguese explorer who landed on the “Upper Guinea Coast” in the mid-15th century, naming the area Serra Lyoa.
  • Henry Smeathman: British abolitionist who proposed a free settlement for freed slaves in Sierra Leone in 1771. Died before seeing his vision realised.
  • Granville Sharp: British philanthropist and abolitionist who founded the “Province of Freedom” in Sierra Leone in 1787.
  • Captain Thompson: British individual who purchased land from the Temne chief King Tom for the “Province of Freedom” settlement.
  • King Tom: Temne chief who sold land to Captain Thompson for the settlement that became Granville Town (part of modern-day Freetown).
  • John Clarkson: Officer in the British Royal Navy who became the first Governor of Sierra Leone in 1792.

Groups:

  • Portuguese Traders: Individuals involved in establishing early trade relations and communities in Sierra Leone. They contributed to the growth of the Afro-Portuguese community through intermarriage and cultural exchange.
  • British Traders and Pirates: Later arrivals who also contributed to the multi-ethnic makeup of early Sierra Leone. They were also involved in the slave trade.
  • “Mulattoes”: Mixed-race individuals who emerged from relationships between Europeans and native populations. They held a significant amount of power within the social structure.
  • Freed Slaves from London: Initial group brought by Granville Sharp to establish the “Province of Freedom” in 1787.
  • “Nova Scotians”: Group of formerly enslaved people who settled in Sierra Leone in 1791 and 1792 after facing discrimination in Nova Scotia, Canada.
  • “Liberated Africans” or “Recaptives”: Africans rescued from slave ships by the British Navy and settled in Freetown from 1808 to 1864. They represented a diverse group of ethnicities and origins, contributing significantly to the development of Krio culture.
  • Yoruba People: West African ethnic group who began settling in Sierra Leone in larger numbers in the 1820s, likely driven by the Yoruba Wars. They played a major role in the development of the Krio culture and language.