The Mende political system before colonial rule

Long before the British arrived, the peoples of what is now Sierra Leone governed themselves. They had rulers, councils, courts, laws, taxes and armies. The Mende of the south and east built many independent chiefdoms, held together by powerful secret societies and by warrior leaders. This lesson explains how the Mende were governed before colonial rule, and why their system is still important for understanding chieftaincy today.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

• describe the political organisation of the Mende before colonial rule
• explain the roles of the chief, the council of elders, the speaker and sub-chiefs
• explain the political, judicial and social functions of the Poro and Sande societies
• describe how chiefs were chosen and how their power was limited
• name notable Mende rulers of the nineteenth century

The Mende and their land

The Mende are the largest ethnic group in the south and east of Sierra Leone. Before colonial rule, Mende country was not one kingdom. It was divided into many independent chiefdoms, some small and some built into large confederacies by successful war leaders. Wars between chiefdoms were common in the nineteenth century, and many towns were protected by stockades (wooden war fences).

Political organisation

Figure 1. A Mende chiefdom before colonial rule. WASSCE Tutor diagram.

Choosing a chief

• Chiefs came from ruling families whose ancestors founded or conquered the chiefdom.
• There was no automatic succession from father to son. The elders, sub-chiefs and Poro leaders chose the most suitable candidate from the ruling families.
• Women could become chiefs. The best-known example is Madam Yoko of the Kpaa Mende, who ruled from Senehun in the late nineteenth century.

The Poro and Sande societies

Political and social functions of the Poro:

1. Law-making: issuing laws ("Poro law") that everyone had to obey, for example closing farms, banning certain activities or regulating trade.
2. Judicial work: settling serious disputes, especially between chiefs or chiefdoms.
3. Checking the chief: a chief who abused power could be warned or disciplined through the Poro.
4. War and peace: helping to decide war, and to make peace between chiefdoms.
5. Choosing and installing chiefs, together with the elders.
6. Education: training boys in the bush school in skills, customs and loyalty.
7. Uniting different chiefdoms, because membership crossed chiefdom boundaries.

The Sande trained girls in domestic skills, moral conduct and community values, and gave women a recognised voice in society.

Limits on the chief's power

• The council of elders had to be consulted.
• The Poro society could discipline or restrain a chief.
• Custom and religion set rules the chief had to follow.
• Unpopular chiefs could lose support, and powerful sub-chiefs or warriors could break away.

Key points

• Mende country (south and east) had many independent chiefdoms, not one kingdom.
• The chief (mahei) ruled with a council of elders, a speaker and sub-chiefs; warriors were important.
• Chiefs were chosen from ruling families by elders and the Poro; women could rule (Madam Yoko).
• The Poro made laws, settled disputes, checked chiefs and trained boys; the Sande trained girls.
• Notable rulers: Kai Londo (Luawa), Nyagua (Panguma), Madam Yoko (Kpaa Mende).

WASSCE examination focus

Quick check

1. Was pre-colonial Mende country one kingdom? Explain.
2. State three political functions of the Poro society.
3. Name a famous Mende woman ruler.
4. Who chose a new Mende chief?

Answers:

1. No. It was divided into many independent chiefdoms, some grouped into confederacies by warrior leaders.
2. Any three: making laws; settling disputes; checking the chief; deciding war and peace; choosing and installing chiefs; uniting chiefdoms.
3. Madam Yoko of the Kpaa Mende.
4. The elders, sub-chiefs and Poro leaders, from among the members of the ruling families.