A Site of Conscious - Sierra Leone's Peace Museum

I have always complained that we do not remember enough. We do not remember the 11 years of war that destroyed our little nation spiritual and physically. I did not like the fact that January 6th is a date many know, but in the two + years i've lived in Freetown it was not a date that we commemorated at a national scale. 

We do not remember enough for those who were here during the war, for those who had to leave because of the war and for those who felt the war in some way, shape or form and more importantly for those who lost their lives during and/or to the war...

A PIECE OF ART GIVEN TO THE PEACE MUSEUM| ARTIST - UNKNOWN (for now)

To my elation, i discovered through Brand Sierra Leone, Studio Tectonic's work with curating the first phase of the Peace Museum which commemorates Sierra Leone's 'civil' war. Located on the former Special Court grounds which is now owned by the people of the country, this site of conscious is the FIRST of its kind not only in Sierra Leone but in the West African region. To my delight i met with the Peace Museum's coordinator Joseph Dumbuya this afternoon who gave me a tour of the first exhibition, the in-progress exhibition expansion and the memorial garden that is in its construction phase. 

KAMAJO - WAR PROTECTION 

ORIGINAL CHARLES TAYLOR LETTER TO THE SPECIAL COURTS IN SIERRA LEONE

The first exhibition comprises of powerful stories provided by the International Centre for Transnational Justice, Photography & stories from survivors, various war materials and vision board for what Sierra Leoneans envision for Sierra Leone.

STORIES FROM AMPUTEE SURVIVORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

TYPE WRITER USED DURING COURT

MEMORIAL GARDEN | STILL IN CONSTRUCTION

The second phase and continuation of the exhibition is still under construction, BUT, we DO have a space that reminds us about where we've been and where we would like to go and that in my books is a MUST SEE. 

Fambul dem, this is how we do...