How we lived
Faith&ceremony
Churches and mosques, societies and initiations, weddings and funerals.
← Everyday lifeFrom the archive
112 items · page 1 / 2St. John's Maroon Church 2016
redcross @ Mapillary.com · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
St. George's Cathedral 2016
danbjoseph @ Mapillary.com · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
The New Burial Ground 1860
Julia Sass · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Church and mission house, Regent 1850
Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Owen Emeric Vidal (far right), first Bishop of Sierra Leone, before leaving England for Freetown, 1852 1852
Original title: Bishop Owen Emeric Vidal (far right) and relatives and probably bishop Ashurst Gilbert of Chichester seated centre probably on OEVs ordinati
W1k1T1ppEx · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Boys building a verandah, St George's Cathedral School, Freetown, 1894 1894
Original title: St. George's Cathedral School: boys building a verandah
E. G. Ingham · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
PARKS(1899) Freetown, Sierra Leone. New Mission Church published 1899
Parks H.B. (?- 1936) ; Butcher, Charles Simpson; Lankford, John Anderson, (1874-1946) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
PARKS(1899) Sarah Gorham Mission House, Magbele, Sierra Leone published 1899
Parks H.B. (?- 1936) ; Butcher, Charles Simpson; Lankford, John Anderson, (1874-1946) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
BEATTY(1915) Fig05 Poro Devils published 1915
Beatty, Kenneth James, (Sir); Sierra Leone. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
BEATTY(1915) Fig06 Entrance to a PORO BUSH published 1915
Beatty, Kenneth James, (Sir); Sierra Leone. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Entrance to a Poro bush, 1916 1916
Original title: Entrance (guarded) to the sacred Porro bush
H. Osman Newland · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Poro masked dancers resting between dances, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Dance mask, man
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
A Poro boy sitting on a mat while a man prepares for the ceremony, Panguma 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 008
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Burial ceremony, Panguma 1936 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 132
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Small child sitting on a mat in home, being dressed in Poro outfit 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 148
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Small child sitting on a mat in home, preparing to be dressed in Poro outfit 1934
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 153
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Child sitting on the floor, a Poro outfit is sat next to him 1934
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 165
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Two men, one being the leader of the religious ceremony dividing the ceremonial food 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 248
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
The leader of the religious ceremony dividing the ceremonial food 1934
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 278
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
The leader of the religious ceremony making the ceremonial food 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 326
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
The leader of the religious ceremony making the ceremonial food, a man standing beside him 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 333
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Boys returning from their initiation in the Poro, Panguma 1936 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 370
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Poro masked figures seen from above, Panguma 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 371
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
A Poro ceremony seen from above, people in the centre in headdresses, Panguma 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 372
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Rest house Panguma with Sjoerd Hofstra on staircase, taken by Mr Robert, missionary from Bunumbu, February… 1934
Original title: SierraLeoneHofstra2.4
Photograph: Mr. Robert (missionary form Bunumbu) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Seated company and military chapel standing behind, Kailahun May 1934 1934
Original title: SierraLeoneHofstra3.1
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Little boy in Poro outfit, Panguma (Sierra Leone), 1936 1936
Original title: SierraLeoneHofstra7.14
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Nazir Ahmad Ali before 1958
companion of Mirza Ghualm Ahmad, and the first pioneering Ahmadi Muslim missionary to Sierra Leone
Unknown author Unknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Chapel, Nixon Memorial Hospital, Segbwema, Sierra Leone 1962 1962
Ralph Norman Mann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
American missionary couple with residents of Bafodia, Sierra Leone (West Africa) (2098796682) 1968
John Atherton · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Wesley Methodist Church Freetown 06 10 (20) (4724313132) 2010
The EITI from Oslo, Norway · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Church interior St. Anthony Catholic church in Freetown (5584920390) 2011
peter hessels from Netherlands · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Ludlam, Thomas, d1810 memorial tablet St Mary de Castro, Leicester c. 1810
Kylenano · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Pendemdu Mosque and Church 2012
Leasmhar · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Three masqueraders at a dance, possibly Poro 'nafali', Panguma Photographed 1935
Original title: SierraLeone019
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
A 'falui' masker, a one-armed warrior spirit, Panguma 1936 Photographed 1936
Original title: SierraLeone020
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Boy posing with Poro Clothing, Panguma Photographed 1935
Original title: SierraLeone023
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Bundu (Sande) dancing, Panguma Photographed 1935
Original title: SierraLeone024
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Freetown, Sierra Leone Mapillary 2016
danbjoseph @ Mapillary.com · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
St. George’s Cathedral, Freetown, Sierra Leone - Mapillary (knEmjjqEzIEdwdIuZDjOtA) 2016
danbjoseph @ Mapillary.com · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Wesley Methodist Church in Freetown - Mapillary (y2bkLw-FjyCSikRSmUjO0A) 2016
danbjoseph @ Mapillary.com · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Freetown, Sierra Leone - Mapillary (gPahUHmYFk3EUBsmvbUKNw) 2020
tommy001 @ Mapillary.com · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Bondo ceremony of the Mendes of Sierra Leone. 01 2020
1Hamidu2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Bondo ceremony of the Mendes of Sierra Leone. 02 2020
1Hamidu2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Bondo ceremony of the Mendes of Sierra Leone. 03 2020
1Hamidu2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Bondo ceremony of the Mendes of Sierra Leone. 04 2020
1Hamidu2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Bondo ceremony of the Mendes of Sierra Leone. 05 2020
1Hamidu2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Bondo ceremony of the Mendes of Sierra Leone. 06 2020
1Hamidu2 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Post-initiation dance, Rogbonko, Sierra Leone 2024
Jonathanbwilson1 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Zion church Freetown SL 2025
Hr.Besserwisser · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
A Masked Poro dancer from Secret Society Photographed 1930–31
Gustaf Bolinder · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Poro Secret Society, Groups of Jasso men Probably photographed 1930–31
CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
A cyclopedia of missions - containing a comprehensive view of missionary operations throughout the world - with geographical descriptions, a 1855
Newcomb, Harvey, 1803-1863 · No restrictions · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Map of A.M.E. mission centres in Sierra Leone and Liberia (1899) published 1899
Original title: (1899) Map of South Africa
Parks H.B. (?- 1936) ; Butcher, Charles Simpson; Lankford, John Anderson, (1874-1946) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
(1899) Map Sierra Leone and Liberia published 1899
Parks H.B. (?- 1936) ; Butcher, Charles Simpson; Lankford, John Anderson, (1874-1946) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Governor John Thomas's house in Sierra Leone, mid-17th century, artist's recreation 1853
Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Boys of Mission School. Rotifunk, Sierra Leone. 1880–93
(artist not separately acknowledged) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Mission School of Mission School. Rotifunk, Sierra Leone. 1880–93
(artist not separately acknowledged) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
HEARD(1910) 01 - A.M.E. Sierra Leone Annual Conference , West Africa published 1910
Heard, William H. (William Henry), 1850-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
HEARD(1910) 02 - A.M.E. Missionary Society, Sierra Leone Annual Conference published 1910
Heard, William H. (William Henry), 1850-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture