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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:'Ecstatic Renovation!': Street Art Celebrating Sierra Leone's 1992 Revolution
Author:Opala, Joseph A.
Year:1994
Periodical:African Affairs: The Journal of the Royal African Society
Volume:93
Issue:371
Period:April
Pages:195-218
Language:English
Geographic term:Sierra Leone
Subjects:coups d'état
mural art
nationalism
Architecture and the Arts
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/723840
Abstract:Sierra Leone witnessed a dramatic change on 29 April 1992, when Captain Valentine Strasser led a military coup that toppled President J.S. Momoh, whose All People's Congress (APC) party had ruled the country for twenty-four years. Captain Strasser's NPRC (National Provisional Ruling Council) government promised an end to the rampant corruption and economic decline plaguing the country. Sierra Leoneans were delighted at the appearance of the young soldiers proclaiming a 'revolution'. During the emotionally charged period at the beginning of 1993 when the NPRC was perceived under threat, working class youth in Freetown suddenly took to the streets to support the revolution. They formed themselves into neighbourhood 'youth organizations', and set about patching streets, cleaning gutters, and painting curbs throughout the city. Soon afterwards they expanded their efforts into patriotic art celebrating the revolution. This process lasted until April, when the momemtum had passed. The author describes the development of this patriotic art, distinguishing eleven themes: NPRC leaders, NPRC symbols, Sierra Leonean heroes, national symbols, political martyrs, religion, Pan-Africanism, cultural pride, Rastafarianism, the rebel war, and slogans. He shows that in twelve weeks these disadvantaged young people forged powerful symbols of patriotic pride. Notes, ref.
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