POLITICAL TITBITS OF SIERRA LEONE: FEATURING FAOMANSA MATURI 1 OF KONO!

POLITICAL TITBITS OF SIERRA LEONE: FEATURING FAOMANSA MATURI 1 OF KONO!

{Courtesy: SiaMatture Josiah- Sierra Leone Nostalgia Experience 04/04/2017}

Foamansa Matturi I of Jaiama Nimikoro, Nimikoro Chiefdom, Kono District (circa 1855-1936). 

Matturi first came to prominence in 1880s pre-Protectorate Sierra Leone during Nyagua of Panguma and Ndawa of Wunde’s war (both were famous warriors and bitter enemies in Mende country). He was aligned with Nyagua and led the Kono army to Wunde, where exploits of his bravery and military leadership were noted. Following the death of Ndawa in July 1888 (Governor’s Dispatches to the Secretary of State, 1888, Sierra Leone Government Archives), Nyagua handed over the ownership of Kono land to Matturi, vowing to protect Kono from the south as long as he lived. 

Matturi then set about forming alliances with other tribal chiefs and further settling his people back to Kono land (the Konos had lived long years in Koranko country to escape Mende slavers from the south). 

The next test of Matturi’s leadership was when Kono freedom was threatened from the northeast from the Sofas who were fighting against the French in French Guinea. The Sofas decided to invade Kono land for slaves and for the first time, the Konos fought against men on horseback. Fierce battles ensued, with Nyagua keeping his promise to always help Matturi in battle by sending guns and gunpowder to Matturi and leading to the defeat of the Sofas. The Sofa War greatly increased Matturi’s power and influence and made him the undisputed leader of a large part of the country to the east.

Britain declared a Protectorate in 1896 over the hinterland, and following the Hut Tax War in 1898, the British implemented their usual divide and rule policy, splitting vast lands and creating chiefdoms (thinking it would weaken the powers of individual powerful chiefs). Matturi became the first Kono chief to be given a Staff in Nimikoro and much of the land he formerly ruled was divided into separate chiefdoms. The dismembering of his land did not lessen his influence among the Konos, who remembered how he fought for their freedom.

Matturi was now firmly established and well-regarded by the British Protectorate Government. In 1909, he was the first Kono chief to welcome and allow to settle among his people the United Brethren in Christ Mission. This led to the first school in Kono land being founded by the UBC Mission in Jaiama in 1910. In 1910, he was chosen as one of three Protectorate Chiefs to go to Freetown to welcome the Duke of Connaught (on his way back to Britain from South Africa. The Duke –Queen Victoria’s son- also formally opened Connaught Hospital). In the twenties, due to advanced age, Matturi declared a Regency, with his eldest son Bona named Regent. But the Lion of Nimikoro barely gave his son a free hand in the running of the chiefdom. P.C. Matturi also oversaw the building of a motor road from the Chiefdom Headquarters town of Jaiama to Sefadu, the District Headquarters. In 1931, the Mining Company arrived and Matturi was their host. But even then, he called the other chiefs to have a meeting to discuss the best conditions on which the miners should be permitted, but many turned a deaf ear to his concerns. In 1932, for his past services, he was awarded the King’s African Medal for Chiefs, the first Kono chief to be so honored. 

Foamansa Matturi I died in July, 1936, in the village of Njala, after a brief illness. His funeral, held a month later in Jaiama, was attended by every chief of Kono district and other surrounding districts, making it the biggest and most well-attended funeral ceremony to take place in Kono at that time.

The Matturi Medal, given for military gallantry of a very high degree in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, was named after the Lion of Nimikoro, Foamansa Matturi I. He is also mentioned in the 1980s text "Sierra Leone Heroes:50 Great Men and Women Who Helped to Build Our Nation". 

(Note: This brief retelling of my Great-Grandfather’s life and exploits are culled in part from the manuscripts cited below. Sahr Matturi was a son of Foamansa Matturi I and my Grandfather. The 1929 manuscript is from a time in Sierra Leone when British anthropologists and the British Government of the time gathered local stories and other information from their colony for publishing in the Sierra Leone Studies Journal. The Journal ran from 1918 to 1970. I was amazed to find my Grandfather’s account and almost fainted when his manuscript referenced a 1929 account narrated by my Great-Grandfather. Attached photos are of Foamansa Matturi I- allegedly photo was taken from his portrait- and the grave-site of the great chief in the Old Town section of Jaiama Nimikoro, Kono District.)

1. A Brief History of Nimikoro Chiefdom, Kono District by Sahr Matturi, Chiefdom Speaker, Nimikoro Chiefdom. (1972). Africana Research Bulletin. Copy of manuscript retrieved from the African Studies Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

2. A Tale of Nimi Koro Chiefdom by E.R. Langley – as narrated to him by Foamansa Matturi I (1929, Sierra Leone Studies Journal). Copy of manuscript retrieved The British Library, London.