Kono: Masakpaidu and Other Historic Sites

Kono brings together different stories at specific places: the fortified village of Masakpaidu points to a settlement history dating to around 1800, while a later monument incorporates an original cross. Tomudu Village and the Savage Pit are associated with other, very sombre aspects of the war. Love Garden complements these historical themes with events and a nature-oriented place to relax. When choosing a holiday rental, it is therefore worth deciding first which aspect of the destination you want to focus on during your stay.

Masakpaidu: Fortifications and the History of Its Name

The fortified village of Masakpaidu was established around 1800. The approximately twelve-foot-high poles from the Cotton Tree enclosed the fortified area. Some of the poles took root, and their stumps are still there. A ditch about 300 yards long ran outside the line of poles. The poles and ditch bring the layout of the fortification to life; the surviving stumps are a particularly noteworthy detail in the town’s recorded history.

The Masakpaidu site is next to the present-day village of Massabendu. During an inspection in 2007, the name “Masakpaidu” did not appear to be known locally; at the time, it was unclear whether it might be a mistaken rendering of “Massabendu” or an earlier name. Within the broader destination of Eastern Province, Masakpaidu’s history extends beyond the fortifications: after being raided by the Sofas under Alimamy around 1893, the village was finally abandoned.

In 1933, the Government of Sierra Leone erected a new, larger monument incorporating the original cross. The monument commemorates the soldiers who fell that day. Thus, Masakpaidu’s village fortifications and a later memorial mark different chapters in its history.

Other Historic Sites and Love Garden

Tomudu Village is the mass grave of 60 people who were burned during the war and buried together. The Savage Pit is associated with a soldier who became a rebel, beheaded victims and disposed of their bodies. The sites are therefore linked to different historical events: Tomudu is a communal burial site, while the Savage Pit is associated with an act of violence at the location.

Love Garden (Kondayque Centre) offers a different focus. The eco-friendly venue hosts events and provides a nature-oriented place to relax. For those who would rather prioritise nature and events than historical themes when choosing where to stay, it offers a different aspect of the destination of Kono.

Landscapes in the Broader Destination of Eastern Province

Landscapes also feature in the wider context of Eastern Province. The Tingi Hills Forest Reserve extends across Eastern Province and Northern Province. In the Sankan Birriwa massif, two peaks are separated by a narrow gorge; both are higher than 1,800 metres, and the northern peak reaches 1,850 metres. The terrain of the Tingi Hills is mostly rocky and crossed by numerous streams that rise in the massif.

The Kambui Hills Forest Reserve consists of two sections: Kambui North covers 20,348 hectares and Kambui South 880 hectares. The main road to Kenema separates the sections. From Kenema, the reserve can be reached via a drivable unpaved road; check local road conditions before setting out.

If you would rather focus on the landscapes of the broader Eastern Province, first decide which natural attraction you want to visit and plan your accommodation and travel arrangements around it.

Discover other destinations: Fonima.

View the broader travel guide: Eastern Province.