Sierra Leone Creole People - Culture

Culture

Krio culture is westernized as Krio held prominent leadership positions in Sierra Leone under British colonialism. The only Sierra Leonean ethnic group whose culture is similar (in terms of its embrace of Western culture) are the Sherbro people. Because many Sherbros interacted with Portuguese and English traders and even intermarried with them (producing Afro-European clans such as the Sherbro Tuckers and Sherbro Caulkers), like the Krios, the Sherbro have a more westernized culture than that of other Sierra Leone ethnic groups. The Krios intermarried with their allies the Sherbros from as far back as the 18th century. After independence all ethnic groups in Sierra Leone are inter-marrying increasingly.

The Krio observe traditional dating and marriage customs, whereby marriage is viewed as a contract between two families and Krio marry in church weddings. Relatives seek out prospective suitors for their kin from desirable families. When a suitor has been chosen, traditionally the groom's parents set a "put stop" day. After this day, the girl can no longer entertain other suitors. On the evening before the wedding, the groom's friends treat him to "bachelor's eve," a rowdy last fling before marriage.

Krios live in nuclear families (father, mother, and their children), but the extended family is important to them. Family members who do well are expected to help those who are less fortunate. They assist poorer relatives with school fees and job opportunities. Women typically shoulder the greatest domestic burdens. In most families, women care for the children, clean house, do the shopping/selling, cook meals, wash dishes and clothes, and carry wood and water.

Historically Krio fashion consisted of a top hat and frock coat for men and a petticoat for women. Like their Americo-Liberian neighbors, Krio men were said to adhere to the "religion of the tall hat and frock coat". Today, teenage fashion—jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers—are very much in style among young people. However, older Creoles still dress conservatively in Western-style suits and dresses.

Krios typically eat three meals a day, the largest in the morning or near midday. The noonday meal of some Krio is rice and fufu, a dough-like paste made of cassava pounded into flour. Fufu is always eaten with a "palaver sauce" or plassas. This is a spicy dish consisting of spinach greens with tripe, fish, beef, salt pork, and chicken. A West African one-pot meal, jollof rice, is a staple dish. Other favorites include rice with various soup, rice bread, and salad. Krios enjoy alcoholic drinks such as beer, gin, and palm wine.