Sierra Leone: Freetown – Old Cotton Tree & Bats

The Old Cotton Tree (is a ceiba tree actually) in the heart of Freetown is legendary since according to a myth this was the exact tree that the first settlers of Freetown found the shade under and decided to built the city. This was in 1792 and the settlers were former African American slaves who were freed to fight for British in the American Independence War. Upon their defeat, they moved to Africa and founded Freetown. It is unlikely that the tree is this old….. But on a separate note – the tree is filled with massive bats hanging pretty much from every branch. People tried to get rid of then many times, but all attempts have been futile.