Precolonial commerce in Northeastern Sierra Leone
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The area of northeastern Sierra Leone has been inadequately lumped into more general systems of commerce in Upper Guinea or
the Sierra Leone hinterland in the precolonial period. This trend
has been partly dae to two factors. A lack of historical exploration
of the area has led to a misreading of the role of a plethora of
petty chiefdoms dominating it, especially after the mid-nineteenth
century. Second, the area has been overlooked as part of a more
generalized trading system with stronger emphasis elsewhere.
This paper will attempt to examine the nature of commerce in
northeastern Sierra Leone particularly centered around a strong and
relatively extensive kingdom called Solimana. This will help to demonstrate
the commercial influence Solimana exerted on its neighbors,
as well as in relation to the development of late nineteenth century
long distance trade from that area. An exploration will be made of
interregional trade systems between Solimana and its neighbors, and
Solimana's participation in long distance trade (or "through"
trade).
Description
African Studies Center Working Paper No. 10
License
Copyright © 1979, by the author.