Bai Bureh

Bai Bureh (c. 1840 – 1908), also known as "Kisimi Kamara", was a Sierra Leonean ruler and military strategist who led the Temne resistance against British colonial rule in 1898 during the Hut Tax War.

Born in Kasseh, a village near present-day Rotifunk, Bureh rose to prominence as a skilled warrior and leader. He became chief of Kasseh in 1886 and expanded his influence throughout the Karene District.

The Hut Tax War was triggered by the imposition of a new tax by the British colonial administration on all dwellings in the Sierra Leone Protectorate. This tax was widely unpopular among the local population, who saw it as an unjust burden and an infringement upon their autonomy. Bai Bureh emerged as a key figure in the resistance movement, uniting various Temne chiefdoms and other ethnic groups against the British.

Bureh's military tactics were highly effective against the better-equipped British forces. He utilized guerrilla warfare strategies, exploiting the dense forest terrain to ambush and harass the enemy. His knowledge of the local landscape and his ability to mobilize local support enabled him to sustain the resistance for several months.

Despite initial successes, the British eventually reinforced their troops and intensified their campaign against Bai Bureh. After a protracted and brutal conflict, Bureh was captured in November 1898. He was exiled to the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) where he remained until 1905. He was then allowed to return to Sierra Leone, but his power and influence had been diminished. Bai Bureh died in 1908 and is remembered as a national hero in Sierra Leone for his resistance against colonial rule. His leadership during the Hut Tax War is a significant chapter in the history of Sierra Leone's struggle for independence.