Society for Indigenous Languages, Communities and Cultures
According to UNESCO, a language becomes endangered when it is at risk of falling out of use because it is no longer passed on to children as their mother tongue. Today, it is estimated that 1 in every 10 languages worldwide is critically endangered unless revitalization efforts succeed. The Mani language of Sierra Leone is one of the world’s critically endangered languages, carrying within it the songs, stories, and wisdom of a people.
Gibrilla Kamara founded the Society for Indigenous Languages, Communities and Cultures in 2022 to unite 12 indigenous villages to restore over 9,000 hectares of sacred forests, revitalizing traditional knowledge, customs and language.
SILCC’s collaboration with local chiefs, women’s associations, and youth groups, alongside partnerships with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Social Welfare and international conservation bodies like Global Rewilding GRA, Endangered Languages Projects has strengthened forest protection systems.
“Recognition from the Endangered Languages Project supported our work linking sacred forest conservation with revitalization of the Mani language reaffirming cultural identity as a driver of biodiversity recovery.” - Gibrilla Kamara
"The Missing Voices" by Gibrilla Kamara