Sierra Leone Local Customs

 
by eManWithG
 
  •   Local Customs
    by eManWithG
  • Madana and child
      Madana and child
    by Ekahau
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

West African handshake

by Ekahau

The African handshake takes a while to master and learn all its variations. Various hand positions and clicking of fingers and punching of fists. Its a bit of a ritual here to greet everyone you meet even in the street. How be da body, don de be fine then at least one handshake. The common handsake in SL seems to have made it back to the African American community in the 1960's.

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Sierra Leone has substantial...

by eManWithG

Sierra Leone has substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Bauxite and rutile mines have been shut down by civil strife. The major source of hard currency is found in the mining of diamonds, the large majority of which are smuggled out of the country. The resurgence of internal warfare in 1999 brought another substantial drop in GDP. The fate of the economy in 2000 depends on the mid-1999 peace accord holding and the rebels reopening territory under their control.

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Everything is valuable. The...

by sirpantsalot

Everything is valuable. The country is very poor and made worse by their internal war. Take lots of things to trade. Some children have never tasted candy for example. If you make a friend give them a flag or sticker from your country. Be patient. Things move slower there. It's just too hot to move fast. Know how to barter before you go. All vendors will bargain. Some items are made at a factory and you might see a better deal from some one else later. If you are short on money sometimes you can trade sneakers or hats for example.When you give things to the children, as we did, make sure it goes to the children. Your intentions, as was mine was to help them and not the older large ones who can work for themselves but when you give it to some kids they turn around and give it to the older ones for protection or because they were ordered to for fear of something. We learned from this and...

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Questions and Answers

k&mtravels profile photo

Q:  Has anyone been to Sierra Leone recently? This year? Any information about safety, visas etc. ? 

anton64 profile photo

A: Hi, have not been there but checked with a friend who lives in Ghana and regularly tarvels to SL, his reply was: "haven’t heard anything untoward lately, so assume... 

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