Yengema, Sierra Leone | |
|---|---|
  Yengema, Sierra Leone Location in Sierra Leone | |
| Coordinates: 8°37′N 11°10′W / 8.617°N 11.167°W | |
| Country |  Sierra Leone |
| Province | Eastern Province |
| District | Kono District |
| Population | |
| • Total | 13,358[1] |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (GMT) |
Yengema is a town in Kono District in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, lying approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Koidu Town (the largest city in Kono District), and about 142 miles (229 km) east of Freetown. The major industries in and around Yengema are diamond mining and agriculture. The town is home to Yengema Airport, the main airfield serving Kono District. A 2012 estimate of Yengema population was 13,358 people.[1]
The population of Yengema is ethnically diverse, though the majority of its residents are ethnic Mandingo and ethnic Kono. The primary language of communication in Yengema is the Krio language, which is widely spoken in the town.
Yengema is a predominantly Muslim town, though with a significant Christian minority population In the town.
Yengema is home to the Yengema Secondary School (commonly known as YSS), which was among the most prominent secondary schools in Sierra Leone.
Yengema is known for its archaeological site called Yengema Cave which was discovered by American anthropologist Carleton Stevens Coon in 1965.[2]
Before the civil war, Yengema was one of the most populous cities in Eastern Sierra Leone. During the Sierra Leone civil war, Yengema was heavily damaged and constantly fought over due to the rich diamond reserves in the area. This forced many of the residents to flee the city.
- ^ a b "World Gazetteer population calculation". Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
- ^ Carleton Stevens Coon. "Excavations at Yengema Cave". The Penn Museum. Retrieved 25 April 2024.