A new book written by Kalamazoo College Associate Professor of History Joseph Bangura promotes new perspectives on the formation and social history of Sierra Leone.

Research regarding Sierra Leone typically focuses on the roles of the Creoles and/or Krio, who were descendants of ex-slaves from Europe, North America, Jamaica and Africa living in the colony. Bangura, however, examines the roles of the indigenous Temne-speakers through the socio-economic formation, establishment and evolution of Freetown in “The Temne of Sierra Leone: African Agency in the Making of a British Colony.”

Bangura’s analysis includes market women, religious figures and community leaders, and the complex relationships they developed. He also considers key issues such as the politics of belonging, African agency and the creation of national identities.

At K, Bangura is the chair of the History Department and the director of African Studies. He has taught such courses as:

• The Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Introduction to African Studies
• Islam in Africa;
• Civilizations of Africa;
• Contemporary Africa;
• Gender Relations in Africa;
• Africa and the Atlantic Slave Trade;
• African Christianity;
• Globalization and International Politics;
• Globalization and Africa;
• War and Peace in Africa; and
• The Cold War in Africa.

Bangura earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Dalhousie University, and his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Sierra Leone. He co-edited two other books with Marda Mustapha, “Democratization and Human Security in Sierra Leone,” which was released in 2015; and “Sierra Leone beyond the Lome Peace Accord,” which was released in 2010.

Bangura’s professional memberships include the African Studies Association, the Africa Network, the West African Research Association and the National Social Sciences Association.

Learn more about “The Temne of Sierra Leone: African Agency in the Making of a British Colony” through its publisher, Cambridge University Press.