Abolition of Domestic Slavery in Sierra Leone

In 1928, Sierra Leone officially abolished domestic slavery, marking a significant step towards human rights and social reform in the region. At the time, the Mende people, the largest ethnolinguistic group in Sierra Leone, comprised approximately 560,000 individuals, with about 15 percent, or roughly 84,000 people, living as domestic slaves. Despite the formal decree, the immediate aftermath saw little change in the lives of these individuals. Many domestic slaves continued to reside in the villages where they had been placed by their former masters, often remaining in the same socio-economic conditions. The abolition did not lead to widespread liberation or reintegration into society for the majority of these individuals, highlighting the complexities of social change in post-colonial contexts. The persistence of domestic slavery practices, even after legal abolition, underscores the challenges faced in dismantling entrenched social hierarchies and the need for comprehensive measures to support the affected populations. The legacy of this period continues to influence discussions on human rights and social justice in Sierra Leone today.