By Taylor Overstreet, PBB MSW Intern
Former child soldiers and their communities have begun garnering international attention in recent years, and Psychology Beyond Borders hopes to contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding war-affected youth and to address community needs, particularly in Sierra Leone. As the resident intern at PBB, one of my primary tasks has been to research the cultural and historical backgrounds of our project sites. In doing so, I have learned much about this West African nation.
The name Sierra Leone was adapted from the Portuguese phrase for “lion mountains,” to describe the beautiful peaks that rise over the West African coastline. Generally speaking, the people of Sierra Leone are very formal, especially with guests and elders. For example, when meeting with an elder, it is common to hold the forearm when shaking hands as an indication that this person’s arm holds great weight. Also, it is customary to leave a small bit of food on one’s plate when a guest in another’s home, even as you thank your host profusely and compliment the delicious food.
