Kalanthuba Chiefdom is located in the extreme northeastern corner of Tonkolili District in the Northern Region of Sierra Leone. Semi-mountainous and just under 100 square miles in area, its eastern boundary is defined by the Bumbuna Reservoir, created by the Bumbuna hydroelectric dam on the Seli/Rokel River. Nearly 11,500 people make their homes in Kalanthuba’s five sections and 42 villages, ranging in size from less than 100 inhabitants to just under 2000 people in Kamankay, the chiefdom’s largest settlement and chiefdom headquarters. Culturally, most Kalanthubans are ethnic Limbas, noted for their production of palm oil and wine, who earn their livelihood mainly from subsistence farming.
Restored as an autonomous chiefdom in 2017, Kalanthuba was for more than sixty years joined to a neighboring chiefdom, a legacy of colonial policy. The chiefdom eagerly anticipates the election of a Paramount Chief from within the chiefdom’s historic ruling house, but awaits the scheduling of the election by the central government. Interim leadership is provided by a Regent Chief.
The people of the chiefdom look upon their regained autonomy as an opportunity for intensive community development, led by local initiative and self-help. At present, the chiefdom is deficient in reliable roads, accessible schools and health facilities, clean water sources, and adequate sanitation facilities. The chiefdom’s social assets, however, are many—including a strong sense of identity, vibrant cultural heritage, the social practice of mutual aid among villagers, and effective chiefdom leadership. Self-help projects underway include road-building with hand tools and community school formation and building construction. While pursuing self-help, the chiefdom actively seeks to partner with development agencies in pursuing its goals and objectives.
Kalanthuba’s fields and fallow bush, forests, fresh water, and abundant wildlife provide a strong natural resource base for sustaining a flourishing and resilient community. Conservation and sustainable management of those resources is a high chiefdom priority, one shared by the Bumbuna Watershed Management Authority (BWMA), which is headquartered in the chiefdom alongside the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Plant. BWMA manages the Bumbuna Conservation Area, created as an environmental offset for the hydroelectric project and located in the chiefdom.