Kuranko people
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 Sierra Leone
|
200,000 |
 Guinea
|
365,000 |
| Languages | |
| Kuranko, Sierra Leone English, Krio | |
| Religion | |
| Islam 80%, Christianity 10%, Indigenous beliefs 10% | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mandinka people | |
The Kuranko, also known as the Koranko, or even as Karanko are an ethnic group living in Sierra Leone and Guinea. The Koranko occupy a large section in mountainous region within northeastern Sierra Leone and southern Guinea. Within this geographical region, different dialects, as well as distinct social groupings can be found. In general, the Koranko are a peaceful people who have maintained a separate ethnic identity, despite years of tribal mixings. Each Kuranko village is led by a chief and a group of elders.
The Koranko speak the Kuranko language (or Koranko), a dialect of the Mande branch of the Niger–Congo language family. The Kuranko are nominally an Islamic people, but many people in this isolated area still follow traditional religious beliefs, identifying as Muslim without adhering to all the strict protocols of that religion. The Kuranko speak a language similar to the Mandinka language, and their language can be understood by their neighbour and close allies the Mandinka and the Susu people.
The Kuranko occupy a mountainous region within the northeastern Sierra Leone highlands, extending into Guinea. This region lacks adequate road systems and is not easily accessible, leaving the Kuranko socially isolated. This may explain why most Kuranko have held on to their traditional culture and religion.
The Kuranko moved into the territory of present day Sierra Leone from what is now Guinea, under the leadership of warrior Mansa Kama, who lived approximately between 1650 and 1720. Mansa Kama founded Kamadugu, now contained within the Sengbe Chiefdom of Koinadugu District, as well as Kholifa, which is still a chiefdom to this day. Kama travelled widely across the area with an Islamic alfa in the late 1600s, encountering numerous military battles on the way. This included establishing the town of Kamadugu, which is named after him. Eventually he settled in Rowala, which became the centre of the new Kuranko country, where he remained the leader until his death.
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Wikipedia