Chiefdoms of Sierra Leone


The chiefdoms of Sierra Leone are the third-level units of administration in Sierra Leone. There are 190 chiefdoms in Sierra Leone, as of 2017. Previously, there were 149.

History and organisation

The paramount chiefs and the ruling families in the chiefdoms were recognised and empowered by the British colonial administration when it organised the Protectorate of Sierra Leone in 1896. Typically, chiefs have the power to "raise taxes, control the judicial system, and allocate land, the most important resource in rural areas."
The hereditary paramount chiefs and their sub-chiefs were the sole local government in Sierra Leone until 2004, when the World Bank sponsored the creation of elected local councils. Local notables, known as the Tribal Authority, elect paramount chiefs for life from among the ruling families in each chieftaincy recognised by the British administration in 1896.
Some chieftaincies have several ruling families, and the differences among them in terms of economic progress has been subject to study in 2013. They found there was a positive relationship between the number of ruling families in a chieftaincy and educational, health and economic outcomes in terms of human capital.
The districts of Sierra Leone were divided into 149 chiefdoms of chieftaincies until 2017, as listed below as of 2011. Since 2017, they have been divided into 190 chiefdoms.

Pre-2017 Chiefdoms

Eastern Province

[Kailahun District]

  1. Dea – Baiwala
  2. Jaluahun – Segbwema
  3. Jawei – Daru
  4. Kissi Kama – Dea
  5. Kissi Teng – Kangama
  6. Kissi Tongi – Buedu
  7. Luawa – Kailahun
  8. Malema – Jojoima
  9. Mandu – Mobai
  10. Peje Bongre – Manowa
  11. Peje West – Bunumbu
  12. Penguia – Sandar
  13. Upper Bambara – Pendembu
  14. Yawei – Bandajuma

[Kenema District]

  1. Dama – Giema
  2. Dodo – Dodo
  3. Gaura – Joru
  4. Gorama Mende – Tungie
  5. Kandu Leppiam – Gbado
  6. Koya – Baoma
  7. Langurama Ya – Baima
  8. Lower Bambara – Panguma
  9. Malehgohun – Sembehun
  10. Niawa – Sundumei
  11. Nomo – Faama
  12. Nongowa – Kenema
  13. Simbaru – Boajibu
  14. [Small Bo, Sierra Leone|Bo Chiefdom|Small Bo] – Blama
  15. Tunkia – Gorahun
  16. Wandor – Faala

[Kono District]

  1. Fiama – Njagbwema
  2. Gbane Kandor – Koardu
  3. Gbane – Ngandorhun
  4. Gbense – Yardu
  5. Gorama Kono – Kangama
  6. Kamara – Tombodu
  7. Lei – Siama
  8. Mafindor – Kamiendor
  9. Nimikoro – Njaiama
  10. Nimiyama – Sewafe
  11. Sandor – Kayima
  12. Soa – Kainkordu
  13. Tankoro – New Sembehun
  14. Toli – Kondewakor

Northern Province

[Bombali District]

  1. Biriwa – Kamabai
  2. Bombali Shebora – Makeni
  3. Gbanti Kamaranka – Kamaranka
  4. Gbendembu Ngowahun – Kalangba
  5. Libeisaygahun – Batkanu
  6. Magbaiamba Ndowahun – Hunduwa
  7. Makari Gbanti – Masongbon
  8. Paki Massabong – Mapaki
  9. Safroko Limba – Binkolo
  10. Sanda Loko – Kamalo
  11. Sanda Tenraren – Mateboi
  12. Sella Limba – Kamakwie
  13. Tambakha – Fintonia

[Koinadugu District]

  1. Dembelia Sikunia – Sikunia
  2. Diang – Kondembaia
  3. Folasaba – Musaia
  4. Kasunko – Fadugu
  5. Mongo – Bendugu
  6. Neya – Krubola
  7. Nieni – Yiffin
  8. Sengbe – Yogomaia
  9. Sulima – Falaba
  10. Wara-Wara Bafodia – Bafodea
  11. Wara-Wara Yagala – Gbawuria

[Tonkolili District]

  1. Gbonkolenken – Yele
  2. Kafe Simiria – Mabonto
  3. Kalanthuba – Kamankay
  4. Dansogoia - Bumbuna
  5. Kholifa Mabang - Mabang
  6. Kholifa Rowalla – Magburaka
  7. Kunike – Masingbi
  8. Kunike Barina – Makali
  9. Malal Mara – Rochin
  10. Sambaia – Bendugu
  11. Tane – Matotoka
  12. Yoni – Yonibana

North Western Province

[Kambia District]

  1. Brimaia – Kukuna
  2. Gbinle Dixing – Tawuya
  3. Magbema – Kambia
  4. Mambolo – Mambolo
  5. Masungbala – Kawula
  6. Samu – Kychum
  7. Tonko Limba – Madina

[Port Loko District]

  1. Bureh – Mange
  2. Buya Romende – Foredugu
  3. Debia – Gbinti
  4. Kaffu Bullom – Mahera
  5. Kasseh – Mahera
  6. Koya – Songo
  7. Loko Masama – Petifu
  8. Maconteh – Unknown
  9. Maforki – Port Loko
  10. Marampa – Lunsar
  11. Masimera – Masimera
  12. Sanda Magbolontor – Sendugu
  13. T.M. Safroko – Miraykulay

Southern Province

[Bo District]

  1. Badjia – Ngelehun
  2. Bagbo – Jimmi
  3. Bagbwe – Ngarlu
  4. Baoma – Baoma
  5. Bumpe–Gao – Bumpe
  6. Gbo – Gbo
  7. Jaiama Bongor – Telu
  8. Kakua – Bo town
  9. Komboya – Njala
  10. Lugbu – Sumbuya
  11. Niawa Lenga – Nengbema
  12. Selenga – Dambala
  13. Tikonko – Tikonko
  14. Valunia – Mongere
  15. Wonde – Gboyama

[Bonthe District]

  1. Bendu – Cha Bendu
  2. Bum – Madina
  3. Dema – Tissana
  4. Imperri – Gbangbama
  5. Jong – Mattru
  6. Kpanda – Kemo Motuo
  7. Kwamebai Krim – Benduma
  8. Nongoba Bullom – Bullom
  9. Sittia – Yonni
  10. Sogbini – Tihun
  11. Yawbeko – Talia

[Moyamba District]

  1. Bagruwa – Sembehun
  2. Bumpe – Rotifunk
  3. Dasse – Mano
  4. Fakunya – Gandohun
  5. Kagboro – Shenge
  6. Kaiyamba – Moyamba
  7. Kamajei – Senehun
  8. Kongbora – Bauya
  9. Kori – Taiama
  10. Kowa – Njama
  11. Lower Banta – Gbangbatoke
  12. Ribbi – Bradford
  13. Timdale – Bomotoke
  14. Upper Banta – Mokelle

[Pujehun District]

  1. Barri – Potoru
  2. Gallines Perri – Blama
  3. Kpaka – Masam
  4. Kpanga Kabonde – Pujehun town
  5. Makpele – Zimmi
  6. Malen – Sahn
  7. Mano Sa Krim – Gbonjema
  8. Kpanga Krim – Gobaru
  9. Peje – Futta
  10. Sorogbema – Fairo
  11. Sowa – Bandajuma
  12. Yakemo Kpukumu Krim – Karlu

Post-2017 Chiefdoms

Eastern Province

[Kailahun District]

  1. Dea – Baiwala
  2. Jahn – ?
  3. Jaluahun – Segbwema
  4. Jawei – Daru
  5. Kissi Kama – Dea
  6. Kissi Teng – Kangama
  7. Kissi Tongi – Buedu
  8. Luawa – Kailahun
  9. Malema – Jojoima
  10. Mandu – Mobai
  11. Peje Bongre – Manowa
  12. Peje West – Bunumbu
  13. Penguia – Sandar
  14. Upper Bambara – Pendembu
  15. Yawei – Bandajuma
;Notes:

[Kenema District]

  1. Dama – Giema
  2. Dodo – Dodo
  3. Gaura – Joru
  4. Gorama Mende – Tungie
  5. Kandu Leppiam – Gbado
  6. Koya – Baoma
  7. Langurama Ya – Baima
  8. Lower Bambara – Panguma
  9. Malegohun – Sembehun
  10. Niawa – Sundumei
  11. Nomo – Faama
  12. Nongowa – ?
  13. Simbaru – Boajibu
  14. Small Bo – Blama
  15. Tunkia – Gorahun
  16. Wando – Faala
  17. Kenema City – Kenema
;Notes:

[Kono District]

  1. Fiama – Njagbwema
  2. Gbane Kandor – Koardu
  3. Gbane – Ngandorhun
  4. Gbense – Yardu
  5. Gorama Kono – Kangama
  6. Kamara – Tombodu
  7. Lei – Siama
  8. Mafindor – Kamiendor
  9. Nimikoro – Njaiama
  10. Nimiyama – Sewafe
  11. Sandor – Kayima
  12. Soa – Kainkordu
  13. Tankoro – Bayama Tankoo
  14. Toli – Kondewakor
  15. Koidu Town – Koidu
;Notes:

Northern Province

[Bombali District]

  1. Biriwa – Kamabai
  2. Bombali Shebora – ?
  3. Bombali Siari – ?
  4. Gbanti – ?
  5. Gbendembu – ?
  6. Kamaranka – Kamaranka
  7. Magbaiamba Ndowahun – Hunduwa
  8. Makari – Masongbon
  9. Mara – ?
  10. Ngowahun – Kalangba
  11. Paki Massabong – Mapaki
  12. Safroko Limba – Binkolo
  13. Makeni City – Makeni
;Notes:

[Falaba District]

  1. Delemandugu – ?
  2. Dembelia – Musaia
  3. Dembelia Sikunia – Sikunia
  4. Folasaba – ?
  5. Kamadu Yiraia – ?
  6. Kebelia – ?
  7. Kulor Saradu – ?
  8. Mongo – Bendugu
  9. Morfindugu – ?
  10. Neya – Krubola
  11. Nyedu – ?
  12. Sulima – Falaba
  13. Wollay Barawa – ?
;Notes:

[Koinadugu District]

  1. Diang – Kondembaia
  2. Gbonkobon Kayaka – ?
  3. Kalian – ?
  4. Kamukeh – ?
  5. Kasunko KaKellian – ?
  6. Nieni – Yiffin
  7. Sengbe – Yogomaia
  8. Tamiso – Fadugu
  9. Wara-Wara Bafodia – Bafodia
  10. Wara-Wara Yagala – Gbawuria
;Notes:

[Tonkolili District]

  1. Dansogoia – Bumbuna
  2. Gbonkolenken Masankong – Yele
  3. Kafe – ?
  4. Kalanthuba – ?
  5. Kholifa Mabang – Mabang
  6. Kholifa Mamuntha Mayosso – ?
  7. Kholifa Rowalla – Magburaka
  8. Kunike Barina – Makali
  9. Kunike Folawusu – ?
  10. Kunike Sanda – Masingbi
  11. Malal – Rochin
  12. Mayeppoh – ?
  13. Poli – ?
  14. Sambaia – Bendugu
  15. Simiria – Mabonto
  16. Tane – Matotoka
  17. Yele – ?
  18. Yoni Mabanta – ?
  19. Yoni Mamaila – Yonibana
;Notes:

North Western Province

[Kambia District]

  1. Briama – Kukuna
  2. Dixing – Mafaray
  3. Gbinle – Tawuya
  4. Khonimakha – Kabaya
  5. Magbema – Kambia
  6. Mambolo – Mambolo
  7. Masungbala – Kawula
  8. Munu Thala – Thala
  9. Samu – Kychum
  10. Tonko Limba – Madina
;Notes:

[Karene District]

  1. Buya – ?
  2. Debia – Gbinti
  3. Gbanti – ?
  4. Libeisaygahun-Gbombahun – Batkanu
  5. Mafonda Makerembay – ?
  6. Romende – Foredugu
  7. Safroko – ?
  8. Sanda Loko – Kamalo
  9. Sanda Magbolontor – Sendugu
  10. Sanda Tenraren – Mateboi
  11. Sella Limba – Kamakwie
  12. Tambakha Simibungie – ?
  13. Tambakha Yobangie – Fintonia
;Notes:

[Port Loko District]

  1. Bakeh Loko – ?
  2. Bureh – Mange
  3. Kaffu Bullom – Mahera
  4. Kamasondo – ?
  5. Kaseh – ?
  6. Koya – Songo
  7. Loko Massama – Petifu
  8. Maconteh – ?
  9. Maforki – ?
  10. Makama – Miraykulay
  11. Marampa – Lunsar
  12. Masimera – Masimera
  13. Tinkatopa – ?
  14. Port Loko City – Port Loko
;Notes:

Southern Province

[Bo District]

  1. Badjia – Ngelehun
  2. Bagbo – Jimmi
  3. Bagbwe – Ngarlu
  4. Baoma – Baoma
  5. Bongor – Telu
  6. Bumpe–Gao – Bumpe
  7. Gbo – Gbo
  8. Jaiama – ?
  9. Kakua – Kakua
  10. Komboya – Njala
  11. Lugbu – Sumbuya
  12. Niawa Lenga – Nengbema
  13. Selenga – Dambala
  14. Tikonko – Tikonko
  15. Valunia – Mongere
  16. Wonde – Gboyama
  17. Bo City – Bo
;Notes:

[Bonthe District]

  1. Bendu – Cha Bendu
  2. Bum – Madina
  3. Dema – Tissana
  4. Imperri – Gbangbama
  5. Jong – Mattru
  6. Kpanda Kemo – Kemo Motuo
  7. Kwamebai Krim – Benduma
  8. Nongoba Bullom – Bullom
  9. Sittia – Yonni
  10. Sogbini – Tihun
  11. Yawbeko – Talia
  12. Bonthe Urban – Bonthe
;Notes:

[Moyamba District]

  1. Bagruwa – Sembehun
  2. Bumpe – Rotifunk
  3. Dasse – Mano
  4. Fakunya – Gandohun
  5. Kagboro – Shenge
  6. Kaiyamba – Moyamba
  7. Kamajei – Senehun
  8. Kongbora – Bauya
  9. Kori – Taiama
  10. Kowa – Njama
  11. Lower Banta – Gbangbatoke
  12. Ribbi – Bradford
  13. Timdale – Bomotoke
  14. Upper Banta – Mokelle

[Pujehun District]

  1. Barri – Potoru
  2. Gallines – ?
  3. Kagonde – ?
  4. Kpaka – Masam
  5. Kpanga – Pujehun
  6. Makpele – Zimmi
  7. Malen – Sahn
  8. Mano Sakrim – Gbonjema
  9. Panga Krim – Gobaru
  10. Peje – Futta
  11. Perri – Blama
  12. Soro Gbema – Fairo
  13. Sowa – Bandajuma
  14. Yekomo Kpukumu – Karlu
;Notes: