FARMA TAMI
- 2 Min Read
Farma Tami, a folk hero, who lived at an uncertain date, is traditionally believed to have established the Temne of Sierra Leone as an important political group.
Temne oral traditions record Bai (king) Farma Tami as the leader who organised them politically into powerful kingdoms. He probably was not a Temne himself, but must have migrated to the coast from one of the Mande-speaking countries inland. It is uncertain at what period he lived. A tradition recorded in the 1860s by the Rev. C.F. Schlenker, a German missionary, says it was 300 generations ago. But the same tradition goes on to describe him as killing white men, though they did not reach Sierra Leone until the 15th century, if the possibility of visits in antiquity is discounted.
Tradition also described him as fighting the Maroons of the Sierra Leone Colony, who only arrived in 1800. Sixteenth-century accounts mention a King Farma, a leader of the “Manes” people, ruling the country northeast of the Sierra Leone estuary. So he may have been a leader in the 16th century invasion of the coast by the inland “Manes”—probably the ancestors of the modern Vai people.
In spite of these uncertainties, he is looked upon by the Temne as their founder. The name Bai Farma, which is written “Farama” by Europeans, survived as a Temne royal title. Robaga, in the Sierra Leone estuary, where he lived, became a holy place for the Temne, and is still regarded as such today. Whatever doubts historians may have about the details of his life, his story seems to be a valid myth of Mance rule over the Temne.
In Ijagbemi’s words, “the legend of Bai Farma Tami an account of the origin of a “Mande” ruling family over the Temne — if not true in fact, is most likely true to type.”
CHRISTOPHER FYFE
