When you hear the name Freetown, your mind probably goes to Sierra Leone. There, Freetown is the capital city, ‘founded’ in 1792 as a home for recently freed enslaved people from the Americas and around Africa.
Quick history lesson (yes I’m aware this whole segment is a history lesson)
Before the founding of Freetown, Black people were being sent to Sierra Leone. England was still benefiting from the riches of the Transatlantic slave trade, but people were unhappy with the sudden close proximity to Black people. There were concerns about the growing levels of poor Black people living in London so the government decided that it had to take action. In the mid-1780s, The Sierra Leone Resettlement Scheme was set up. There was of course an ulterior motive – the plans were to expand the empire in West Africa and this was a ‘perfect’ way to do it. Two birds, one stone.
Unfortunately (for them), the scheme wasn’t as successful as they had hoped, it is said that less than half of the people who had signed up to be re-homed actually turned up on moving day, and that many of those people were in fact white women following their husbands. Because of this, authorities then turned their attention to the Black Pioneers in Nova Scotia and offered them the resettlement scheme too.
Did you know, prior to 1843 (the year of emancipation), there was a town in Trinidad also named Freetown?
As I’ve often found with Caribbean history, there isn’t much information readily available on the internet regarding Freetown. But similar to its namesake in Sierra Leone, it was a place where enslaved people could go to live in their liberation. It also included many freed Africans rescued from slave ships after 1807
Freetown is now known as Belmont, however there are still reminders of its incredible legacy throughout the town. The Belmont Freetown Foundation Initiative works hard to ensure that this legacy isn’t forgotten.
I’ve realised that I need to spend a month or six in the Caribbean so I can do some serious research. So if anyone is reading this and wants to fund it, let me know!
Freetown Collective
While I hope you guys enjoyed your mini history lesson, that wasn’t the main purpose of this post. We’re actually here to discuss one of my favourite bands – Freetown Collective.
Founded by Muhammad Muwakil and Lou Lyons in 2010, the group has carried on the legacy of freetowns – providing a safe space in their music for people to be free. They were later joined by Shanna & Malene Joseph and Tishanna Williams, who added another layer of beauty to the group’s sound. Together they have been touring the world spreading their light and love with captivated audiences. Whilst their music of course is there to bless our ears, there is often a deeper meaning to their songs. The band exists to champion voices that often go unheard and to encourage healing in those that need it.
The beauty of their music is that although they are well known in the soca and calypso arena, their sound as a whole is not limited to just one genre. There truly is something for everyone in their discography
This is my favourite song by the band. The message behind it is beautiful (as with all of their music). It was written as part of the #LoveOverEverything Campaign in collaboration with Associated Brands. The campaign aims to bring awareness to gender based violence in Trinidad and provide support to women who are survivors
Until next time
Ri x
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