Segbwema
| Segbwema, Sierra Leone | |
|---|---|
  Segbwema, Sierra Leone Location in Sierra Leone | |
| Coordinates: 8°0′N 10°57′W / 8.000°N 10.950°WCoordinates: 8°0′N 10°57′W / 8.000°N 10.950°W | |
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Province | Eastern Province |
| District | Kailahun District |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 16,532 |
| Time zone | GMT (UTC-5) |
Segbwema is a town in Kailahun District in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. The town is a major business and agricultural centre. Segbwema lies approximately 20 miles northeast of Kenema and about 225 miles south-east of Freetown (further by road). The population of Segbwema was 7,961 in the 2004 census[1] with a current estimate of 16,532 .
The population of Segbwema is ethnically diverse, though the Mende people make up the majority of the population. Segbwema is home to the Nixon Memorial Hospital , one of the main hospitals in Kailahun District. The hospital serves Segbwema and its surrounding areas
Geography
Segbwema is a hilly town that is divided roughly in two by the small river Nyeya, which is a tributary of the Maleh river. The town belongs to and is the headquarters of Njaluahun chiefdom, a major chiefdom nestled between the Moa and Maleh rivers. Njaluahun is bounded by the eastern chiefdoms of Nongowa, Jawei and Kpeje.
Demographics
Contrary to popular descriptions of Segbwema as a purely Mende town, Segbwema is one of the most diverse small towns in Sierra Leone and the human geography of the town reflects this diversity. The main indigenous ethnic group in Segbwema, as the case in most towns of the Eastern Region, are the Mendes. The Mendes are mainly concentrated in the Taima, Pendembulo, Kabalahun, Manina, Sosso Town, Largo Square and Nyekehun sections of Segbwema. Madingos and Fulas represent the other main ethnic groups and they are mostly located in Konotown, which is arguably the largest section of Segbwema. Temnes are mainly in Sosso Town and Kono town and the indigenous Limba population are located at the four main entrances to Segbwema: Largo Square, Kabalahun, Sosso town and the Segbwma-Daru road. Segbwema also has ethnic Hausa, Konyanka and Krio populations. The reason for the multi-ethnic nature of Segbwema is that it was a major trading center during the heyday of the railway as it was the last major rail town in the Eastern Province and also because it had the best health care center in the Eastern province, the Nixon Memorial Methodist Hospital.
The various ethnic groups have existed in the town for decades without any significant problems. Segbwema, though it is a rural town, has a truly metropolitan feel as all the various groups have a strong sense of community and citizenship. Everybody participates without fear in the internal politics of the town and we date and marry without much regard to ethnic or tribal affiliations. One major reason for this close-knit multi-ethnicity is that everybody in Segbwema speaks Mende and almost all speak Krio. In essence there is no communication problem among the different communities. Segbwema is also unique in that every ethnic group is allowed to serve in the administration of the town, either as chiefs or as tribal authorities.
Destruction during civil war
As most of the major towns in rural Sierra Leone, Segbwema was heavily destroyed during the civil war. Most of the developments we were proud of: our secondary schools, Wesley and Holy Ghost, our police station and police barracks, the Nixon Memorial Hospital, the Nixon nursing Schools, the Standard bank and many other landmarks were burnt down by rebels of the RUF.
Other Segbwemas
Sierra Leone has another, smaller town of the same name in the Southern Province.
References
- ↑ Republic of Sierra Leone: 2004 Population and Housing Census: Analytical Report on Population Distribution, Migration and Urbanisation in Sierra Leone.
Ibrahim Mohamed Sesay, Andrew A. Karam, Jinnah J. Ngobeh. Published November 2006.