The Lantern Festival is held on the occasion of Sierra Leone’s Independence Day, on April 27th. The celebration dates back to the 1930s, having been introduced in the country by trader Daddy Maggay after he witnessed a similar celebration in the Gambia.

It is believed that the tradition of parading with lanterns originates from the use of fanous, the traditional Ramadan lantern, which in turn dates back to ancient Egypt. In line with Sierra Leone’s diverse religious background, the lantern came to symbolize both the festival of Ramadan and the Easter parades.

In origin, the lanterns used for the parades were simple hand-carried objects. Over time, secret societies started getting involved and the lanterns became more and more elaborate, to the extent that they had to be carried on floats pulled by animals or motor vehicles.

Different ethnic groups also put their spin on the parade – for instance, the Temne combine the Lantern Parade with “a-whutpa”, a night of dancing and celebrating held at the end of Ramadan, combining traditional songs and performances.

Nowadays, the Lantern Parade is a display of creativity and community spirit, as large groups from all over the country come together to craft elaborate lanterns, promoting skill development and innovation.