National symbols
Sierra Leone's anthem, flag and coat of arms date from independence in 1961; the flag and the arms both draw on the landscape that gave the country its name.
The national anthem
The full words, a piano and voice score, and an audio file are published by Sierra Leone Web.
Sources 123
The lyricist. Clifford Nelson Fyle (1933–2006) became a professor at Fourah Bay College. He helped establish Krio as a subject of academic study and founded the university's Department of Linguistics and Sierra Leone Languages.
The composer. John Akar (1927–1975) was the first Sierra Leonean Director of Broadcasting and founded the National Dance Troupe. According to the 1988 heroes book, the troupe was voted best dance ensemble at the 1964 New York World's Fair.
Sources 121
The flag
The flag has three horizontal bands of green, white and blue. The 2011 Golden Jubilee book, citing the national constitution, gives their meanings as follows:
Sources 125
The coat of arms and motto
The arms were developed with the College of Arms in London. The shield shows a lion beneath a zigzag border representing the Lion Mountains, three torches for peace and dignity, and wavy bars for the sea. Lions support the shield, and the national motto beneath it reads "Unity, Freedom, Justice". The same book notes that some Sierra Leoneans feel neither the flag nor the arms shows the nation's greatest resource, its people.
Sources 125
The national pledge
The national pledge is a short promise of love and loyalty to Sierra Leone: to serve the country faithfully, defend its good name, and work for its unity, peace, freedom and prosperity. Its full text appears alongside the anthem on Sierra Leone Web.
Sources 123