John Combey

Dr John Combey hails from the Eastern part of Sierra Leone in West Africa. He studied Philosophy, Sociology and Social Anthropology at the University of Muenster in Germany. After receiving his master´s degree in Philosophy, he went on to pursue his doctoral studies in Social Anthropology, which he successfully completed under the supervision of Prof. Dr J.D.M. Platenkamp at the University of Muenster. Being a Koh Mende himself, Dr John Combey has done research among the Koh Mende, largely inhabiting the Eastern part of Sierra Leone. In his study he identifies and analyses the cultural specificity of this society, especially with regards to their main socio-religious institution (Poro), commonly known in classical Social Anthropological literature as "secret society".

Recent publications:

Combey, John (2013). The Poro Spirits and Political Transformations among the Koh Mende of Sierra Leone. Frankfurt am Main: Campus.