![]() | This article possibly contains original research. (June 2021) |
![]() Temne children in Kabala in 1968 | |
Total population | |
---|---|
2,225,811[citation needed] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
![]() | 2,220,211[1] |
Languages | |
Temne, English, Krio | |
Religion | |
Islam 90% • Christianity 10% [citation needed] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Baga people, Landuma people, Nalu people |
The Temne, also called Atemne, Témené, Temné, Téminè, Temeni, Thaimne, Themne, Thimni, Timené, Timné, Timmani, or Timni, are a West African ethnic group.[2][3][4] They are predominantly found in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone.[4] Some Temne are also found in Guinea.[5] The Temne constitute the largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone, at 35.5% of the total population, which is slightly bigger than the Mende people at 31.2%.[1] They speak Temne, which belongs to the Mel branch of the Niger–Congo languages.[6]
The Temne people migrated from the Futa Jallon region of Guinea, who left their original settlements to escape Fula jihads in the 15th century, and migrated south before settling between the Kolenté and Rokel River area of Sierra Leone.[3][5] They initially practiced their traditional religion before Islam was adopted through contact with Muslim traders from neighboring ethnic groups. Though most Temne converted to Islam over time, Some have continued with their traditional religion.[5]
The Temne are traditionally farmers, growing rice, cassava, millet and kola nut. Their cash crops include peanuts and tobacco.[5] Some Temne are fisherman, artisans and traders. Temne society is patrilineal. It has featured a decentralized political system with village chiefs and an endogamous hierarchical social stratification.[7][8] The Temne were one of the ethnic groups that were victims of slave capture and trading across the sub-Saharan and across the Atlantic into European colonies.[9][10]
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