The Political Function of the Poro. Part One

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Periodical article

Title:	The Political Function of the Poro. Part One
Author:	Little, Kenneth L.
Year:	1965
Periodical:	Africa: Journal of the International African Institute
Volume:	35
Issue:	4
Period:	October
Pages:	349-365
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Sierra Leone
Subjects:	secret societies traditional polities Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External links:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/1157659 https://www.jstor.org/stable/1158128 https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pao:&rft_dat=xri:pao:article:4011-1965-035-00-000025
Abstract:	This article is concerned with the relation of so-called secret societies to indigenous government. The author examines the case of the Poro, the best known and most widely spread association of this kind in Sierra Leone, which has played a part in community affairs since centuries. Part 1 gives a general picture of the Poro, part 2 considers more specifically the role of the Poro in indigenous systems of government, including its relations with chiefs and 'high' chiefs. Part 1. Traditional background; 18th- and 19th-century impressions of Poro; the supernatural basis of Poro; the implications of initiation; the organization of Poro. Part 2. The relation of the chief to Poro: a) Evidence of Poro supremacy b) Chiefs and high chiefs in traditional society c) The kingdom of Quoja d) The Poro as an instrument of government e) The chieftainship and Poro as complementary institutions. References; trench summary.