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The Limba people are one of the indigenous ethnic groups, in the Republic of Sierra Leone in West Africa. They are the third largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone and make up about 9.5% of the country's population

The Limba are mainly rice farmers who live in the savannah-woodland region in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. They predominate in 7 of Sierra Leone's 149 rural chiefdoms, and their community affairs are dominated by the local paramount chiefs. The Limba are the third-largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone.

The Limbas were among the earliest inhabitants of Sierra Leone, and their long habitation in the same geographically diverse region has led to a high degree of linguistic variation. They are divided into three principal dialect areas -- Wara Wara in the north, Biriwa/Safroko in the south, and Tonko/Sela in the west.

The Limba in the Northern Province are most strongly influenced by Islam, and the southern, by Christianity. The western group has been influenced by both. But traditional religious beliefs and practices, or "animism," are a powerful and co-exist with Islam and Christianity throughout the Limba region. Indeed, most Sierra Leoneans view the Limba as more involved in supernatural practices than any other tribe in the country.

Limbas were among the last in Sierra Leone to seek Western education and for many years they suffered from a negative public image due to their perceived "backwardness." Their position improved considerably, though, between 1968 and 1992 when two successive presidents of Sierra Leone (Siaka Stevens and Joseph Saidu Momoh) identified themselves as Limbas.

Today, many Limbas live in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital city, and in the large provincial towns, and many have acquired formal education, in some cases completing postgraduate studies abroad. But the majority of Limbas still live in rural areas where they carry on their tradition way of life.

• Almamy Suluku, was a powerful Limba ruler who maintained his independence as long as possible through brilliant political strategy during colonial era.
• Siaka Stevens, president of Sierra Leone from 1971-1985
• Joseph Saidu Momoh, president of Sierra Leone from 1985-1992
• Johnny Paul Koroma, former Head of State of Sierra Leone from May 1997 to February 1998.
• Sorie Ibrahim Koroma, Vice President of Sierra Leone from 1978-1986
• Kandeh Baba Conteh, Sierra Leonean politician and leader of the Peace and Liberation Party (PLP)
• Momodu Koroma, foreign minister of Sierra Leone from 2002-2007
• Hindowa Momoh, former President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students
• Lamin Conteh, Sierra Leonean footballer
• Kewullay Conteh, Sierra Leonean footballer
• Abdulai Conteh, former Minister of Foreign Affairs

• Photos of a Limba Village (Maforika)
• Limba Masks
• See section on "Alimamy Suluku," famous Limba ruler of the 19th century