Conclusion: A History of Liberia

Map of Liberia, retrieved from
 http://www.aefjn.org/index.php/info-africa/articles/info-on-liberia.html

The Republic of Liberia is a country located in the Sub-Saharan region of West Africa. It borders the countries of Sierra Leone to the west, Guinea to the north, the Ivory Coast in the east, and the Atlantic Ocean in the south.[1] As one of Africa’s oldest republics, Liberia became an independent nation in 1847 and they modeled their country after that of the United States. However, in recent times Liberia has faced many issues. In 1990 and again in 2003 Liberia faced two civil wars which destroyed the country’s economy and infrastructure. At least eighty five percent of Liberia’s modern-day population lives below the poverty line.[2] In order to understand why Liberia is the way it is today it is important to understand how the geography, arts, religion, and outside contacts have affected Liberia over time.

Liberia's Flag, retrieved from
http://www.aefjn.org/index.php/info-africa/articles/info-on-liberia.html

The geography of Liberia is diverse. The landscape varies from rolling coastal plains to tropical rainforest to low mountains. Liberia’s location near the equator gives it a steady year round temperature that is both tropical and humid. This geography has helped and hindered Liberia throughout its history. The coastline, for instance, offered a convenient location for freed American slaves to relocate to Africa but yet the year round climate provides the perfect environment for deadly diseases to flourish.[3] Liberia’s music and art has also played an important part of the country’s history. Music has been one of the main highlights of Liberian culture, especially to the indigenous people. They have used “talking instruments” to mimic the tone, rhythm, intonations, and stress of human speech in order to record stories or to perform traditional rituals.[4] Among more recent history though is the symbolism portrayed in Liberia’s national flag. Inspired by the United States of America, Liberia’s flag has eleven horizontal red and white stripes with a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper left hand corner. The cultural and historical significance is that Liberia was in fact founded by the American Colonization Society in 1821 who acquired the land from local tribal chief as a sanctuary for freed African slaves from America. Liberia then became free of colonial control after their Declaration of Independence in 1847. The white star represents freedom, the blue square represents the African mainland, and the eleven stripes represent the eleven signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence.[5] Religion has also played an important role in Liberia’s history. When the Americo-Liberian settlers landed during the 1800s the indigenous population used the term Kwi to differentiate between the two groups. Kwi is known as a style of Christian worship where the church is marked by formality and decorum. Unlike the westernized Kwi population, the non-Kwi indigenous groups practiced Christianity with buoyant dancing, street processions, and colorful costumes. Christianity is in fact the dominating religion of Liberia but throughout history there has still been a small percentage that practiced Islam and indigenous beliefs, especially witchcraft.[6]



Modern-day anthropologists believe that what is now known as Liberia was first settled around 3000 B.C by different groups of people from other areas of Africa. The harsh living conditions from the Sahara Desert initially caused these different tribes to relocate in search of fertile soil and game. These different groups of survivalist intermingled and created several different cultures. The first known outsiders to visit Liberia, however, were a group of Portuguese explorers in 1461 led by Pedro de Sintra. These European contacts opened up trade routes developed between Europe and coastal Liberia. One of the most important contacts was of course the Americo-Liberians who became the elite ruling class, modeling their country after that of America. Ultimately it was the American settlers that arrived in 1822 that tremendously affected the national and cultural identity of Liberia. The country itself was named after liberty. The nation’s origin as a colony of free blacks who were relocated to Africa from the United States in the early nineteenth century made up Liberia’s elite ruling class. While they only constituted about five percent of the population the rest of Liberia’s population belonged to different ethno linguistic groups of the Niger-Congo family. When Liberia first emerged, the administration was led by white administrators appointed by the American Colonization Society, but by 1847 the Americo-Liberians declared themselves independent of American colonial control. The Americo-Liberians were “westernized” holding American-styled cultural and social values.[7]

Sweet Land of Liberty, retrieved from
http://www.foundationforwomen.org/blog/307/

As it was shown Liberia’s geography, arts, religions, and outside contacts have heavily influenced the history of Liberia. Liberia is one of the poorest counties in the modern-day world. While the country is rich in natural resources and was steady in earlier times, the economy has been ravaged from recent civil wars and political upheavals. Liberia is rich in history but has faced many obstacles. The geography, arts, religions, and first contacts have led Liberia to the country it is today.

[1] “Liberia-geography”, Liberian Media Center, 2008, accessed March 6, 2015, http://www.liberiamediacenter.org/geography.html.


[2] SAGE Reference, s.v. “Liberia,” accessed March 6, 2015, http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX3718400268&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w&asid=080126ba8897bd83f15e411194c9978a


[3] “Geography of Liberia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Liberia.


[4] “The Talking Drum”, Stream Africa, accessed March 6, 2015, http://streamafrica.com/culture/culture-of-africa/#.


[5] “National Flag of Liberia”, World Flags 101, http://www.worldflags101.com/l/liberia-flag.aspx.


[6] “Liberia”, http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/liberia.


[7] Ken R. Wells, “Liberian Americans,” Countries and Their Cultures, accessed March 6, 2015, http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Liberian-Americans.html.

Liberia's History and Emergence as a Nation

The American settlers that arrived in 1822 tremendously affected the national and cultural identity of Liberia.  In fact, the word “Liberia” actually comes from the word “Liberty” and refers to the nation’s origin as a colony of free blacks who were relocated to Africa from the United States in the early nineteenth century.  Even though these Americo-Liberians made up Liberia’s elite ruling class they only constituted about five percent of the population.  The rest of Liberia’s population belonged to sixteen different ethno linguistic groups of the Niger-Congo family.  Due to this, most citizens did not feel “apart” of the new nation-state because most government institutions were concentrated in the coastal cities.  As a result most inhabitants of the interior of Liberia had little sense of “being Liberian” until the second half of the twentieth century.[1] 


Liberia's culture, like their flag, is modeled after that of the United States

 

The land of modern-day Liberia was once made up of sixteen identified ethno linguistic groups.  These groups, or tribes, had their own political entities headed by chiefdoms.  There were no pre-colonial states.  But when Liberia first emerged the administration was led by white administrators appointed by the American Colonization Society.  However, by 1847 the Americo-Liberians declared themselves independent of American colonial.[2] 

This caused even more instability between the Americo-Liberians and the indigenous Liberians.  The Americo-Liberians were “westernized” holding American-styled cultural and social values.  To the indigenous people they were alien.  They were Christian, spoke English, and lived an “Americanized” way of life by building churches and houses that resembled those in America.  In addition, the Americo-Liberians adopted the American system of racial segregation by recreating a cultural and racial caste system in which they were superior to the indigenous Liberians.  It was not until World War II when there was no other choice but for social change.  Despite the small changes then there has been continued instability resulting in civil wars in which the country is still trying to recover from.[3]

Hope for Liberia

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[1] “Liberia”, Countries and Their Cultures, http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Liberia.html.

[2] “Liberia”, Countries and Their Cultures, http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Liberia.html.

[3] “History of Liberia”, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Liberia.

Missions in Liberia

Global Ministries: The United Methodist Church
Liberia was torn apart during the civil wars that began in the 1980s. When the wars finally ended the country was devastated. Returning Liberians (especially the youth) were poor, under-educated, and disillusioned. The Liberian United Methodist Church has taken a major role in addressing many of the postwar issues. They believe that vocational training and education is essential in providing opportunities to the “lost” generation of Liberian youth, whose childhood was destroyed by the atrocities of war. With the access to vocational training in many study areas, economic growth and development has been promoted and encourage in urban and rural communities. These newly skilled citizens have slowly begun to help Liberia’s long-term revitalization. In addition to the vocational training, the Liberian UM also operates nearly 100 elementary and secondary schools, several colleges, and the University of West Africa.[1]



Franciscan Works: A Source of Hope for People Living in Poverty
Franciscan Works is a non-profit organization in Liberia dedicated to the ministry of self-help for children living in poverty through education that is rooted in Catholic values and the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. The Liberia Mission began in 2003 (after the Civil Wars) and consists of a ten-acre campus and an adjoining 15 acre farm property that houses the St. Anthony of Padua School, St. Michael the Archangel Chapel, and separate living quarters for boys and girls. The lack of education is believed to be one of the root causes of many of Liberia’s social and economic problems. The shallow pool of human capital, knowledge, technical skills, and abilities compromises the potential for development. Franciscan Works utilizes their long-term program to help improve the life of Liberia’s children in hope for a better future.[2]

[1] “Liberia”, Global Ministries: The United Methodist Church, accessed February 19, 2015, http://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Africa/Liberia.


[2] “Franciscan Works”, Franciscan Works, accessed February 19, 2015, https://www.franciscanworks.org/about-us.aspx.

First Contacts between Liberia and Outside Cultures

The Indigenous Peoples 

To begin, modern-day anthropologists believe that what is now known as Liberia was first settled around 3000 B.C.  These “first settlers” were from other areas of Africa.  The harsh living conditions from the Sahara Desert, for instance, caused tribes to relocate in search of fertile soil and game. It is safe to say that what we consider the indigenous peoples originally came to the area of Liberia simply for the need to survive.  These survivals intermingled and created several different cultures that are unique on their own.  What is interesting is how most modern-day Liberians can even potentially trace their ancestry back to the settlers that migrated to Liberia between the eleventh and seventeenth centuries.[1]

The Sahara Desert

First “Outsiders” 

The first known outsiders to visit Liberia were a group of Portuguese explorers in 1461.  They were led by Pedro de Sintra and he named the region the Malagueta Coast after a green spicy pepper grown in the area.  After this “first contact”, trade routes developed between Europe and coastal Liberia.[2]  After Pedro de Sintra other Portuguese explorers followed.  The area even became known as the “Grain Coast” for the enormous amounts of Malagueta pepper.  At that time it was just as valuable as gold and became a major trade item.[3]

Pedro de Sintra

Americo-Liberians in the “place for freedom” 

Last, but not least, is when the freed slaves from America resettled into Africa.  The American Colonization Society acquired land from local tribal chiefs in 1821 and the first African American settlers, known as Americo-Liberians arrived in 1822.  It is one of the most important “contacts” Liberia has ever had since the Americo-Liberians became the elite ruling class, modeling their country after that of America.  They even declared their independence in 1847.[4]

The Americo-Liberians were very "westernized".

 

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[1] Ken R. Wells, “Liberian Americans,”  Countries and Their Cultures, accessed February 12, 2015, http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Liberian-Americans.html.

[2] Ken R. Wells, “Liberian Americans,”  Countries and Their Cultures, accessed February 12, 2015, http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Liberian-Americans.html.

[3] “Liberia,” Encyclopedia Britannica,  accessed February 12, 2015, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/339254/Liberia/214453/History#ref751278.

[4] Ken R. Wells, “Liberian Americans,”  Countries and Their Cultures, accessed February 12, 2015, http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Liberian-Americans.html.

Liberia's Economic History

Older Times 

The early inhabitants of modern day Liberia are believed to have originated from the western Sudan.  With their culture and traditions they also brought with them a form of small-scale trade.  For instance, the indigenous peoples would trade handmade items (pottery, basket, and masks) or weaponry between the different tribes for other items of value.  Iron rods, in particular, are believed to have been a major item used as a medium of exchange. Later on, after European contact, modern day Liberia was involved in many different trades which consisted of spices, gold, alcohol, horses, weapons, and even slaves.[1]   

The Pepper Coast, as it was so called by European traders, is believed to be inhabited as least as far back to the 12^th century.  Local skills consisted of cotton spinning, cloth weaving, iron smelting, and even rice cultivation.  In fact, from older times to the newer times, iron has played a major role in Liberia’s economic history.[2] 

 

Recent Times 

Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world with an extremely undeveloped economy.  Even though Liberia is rich in water, minerals, forest, and agriculture, it suffers from a ravaged economy primarily due to political upheavals.  The capital city of Monrovia, for instance, has poor human capital and infrastructure.  In addition, the small percentage of local manufacturing is foreign owned, causing even more damage to the Liberian economy.[3] 

The First Liberian Civil War (1989-1996) made a major impact on Liberia’s economy.  Prior to the war, in the 1970s and 1980s, Liberia relied heavily on mining iron ore.  In fact, iron accounted for more than half of export earnings.  However, during the war, many skilled workers fled the country.  In addition, since the coup d’état in 1980, the demand for iron ore significantly declined causing the economy to slow down tremendously.[4]

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[1] “The Grain Coast, Malaguetta Coast or Pepper Coast before 1822”, http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/Peppercoastbefore1822.htm.

[2] “Liberia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia.

[3] “Economy of Liberia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Liberia.

[4] “Economy of Liberia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Liberia.

History of Liberian Religions

Christianity  



The majority of Liberia’s modern-day population practices Christianity under several different denominations.  These denominations include Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, and more.[1]  Kwi is a style of worship of a particular Christian church which is marked by formality and decorum.  The term Kwi actually comes from the term Kpelle, meaning foreigner or civilized person.  When the Americo-Liberian settlers landed in Liberia during the 1800s, the indigenous population used the term to differentiate between them.  The Americo-Liberian Christians then adopted the term for themselves.[2]  

http://themediaproject.org/article/liberias-christians-push-christian-nation?page=full

While there is the “westernized” Kwi population, there is also the non-Kwi population.  The non-Kwi population is similar in that they also practice Christianity, but they are more buoyant with dancing, street processions, and colorful costumes.  They have their own prophets who interpret visions and even make spiritual amulets.[3]  Despite the differences, however, Christianity dominates the country of Liberia.  In fact, there is only approximately twelve to twenty percent that practice Islam and less than one percent that practice indigenous beliefs.[4]

 

Islam and Indigenous Beliefs

 



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Liberia

While Christianity dominates the population of Liberia there is still a small percentage that practice Islam and a minute amount that still practice indigenous beliefs.  Liberian Muslims have historically followed a relaxed and liberal form of Islam and it was integrated by the indigenous religions back in the sixteenth century.[5]  Indigenous beliefs still exist today, especially the practice of witchcraft.[6]

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Liberia

Impacts

Throughout history, Islam and Christianity alike have intermingled with the indigenous beliefs of Liberia and have created many different diverse cultures throughout the country.  While it is a controversial topic, religious tensions are existent but it also brings a sense of harmony to a country in their time of need.

For an example, one of the consequences of the civil wars in Liberia was the destruction of Mosques.  There were several gruesome and barbaric massacres committed near schools and places of worship.  The country seemed crippled with the skeletons of destroyed buildings raddled away by bullets holes.[7]  Bringing the end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003 was a group started by Christian and Islamic women alike, advocating a peace movement in which thousands of women mobilized efforts and even threatened a curse on the nation.[8]  With that said, one would have to argue that the impacts of both religions are quite significant throughout Liberia’s history.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_of_Liberia_Mass_Action_for_Peace

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[1] “Religion in Liberia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Liberia.

[2] “Kwi”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwi_(Liberia).

[3] “The Christianity of Indigenous Africans”, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1985/liberia_2_christianityofindigenousafricans.htm.

[4] “Religion in Liberia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Liberia.

[5] “Islam in Liberia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Liberia.

[6] “Liberia”, http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/liberia.

[7] “Islam in Liberia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Liberia.

[8] “Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_of_Liberia_Mass_Action_for_Peace.

The Arts and Music as History in Liberia

The Power of Music



http://blog.liberiapastandpresent.org/?p=234

Music is one of the main highlights of Liberian culture, especially to the indigenous peoples. Not only is it played for entertainment purposes, but it is also played to educate listeners about Liberia’s history. The topics can range from culture and political problems to social problems and human rights. The drum is one of the primary musical instruments they use and the lyrical songs are sung in both the English language and in the indigenous languages.[1] Many Liberian tribes also employ “talking instruments” that tells stories when played.[2] In fact, many western African cultures use the “talking drum” in which the music created by the drum actually communicates a sentence without actually using words.[3] The “talking drum” mimics the tone, rhythm, intonation, and stress of human speech. The indigenous peoples of Liberia use the talking drum during different traditional activities and rituals such as religious rites, royal occasions, and even circumcisions.[4]





 



Symbolism in Liberia’s Flag
The Liberian flag has a five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper left hand corner and also consists of eleven horizontal red and white stripes. Liberia’s flag is actually modeled after the United States’ Stars and Stripes. Liberia’s flag, as a form of art, is entrenched is historical symbolism. The white star symbolizes the freedom that the ex-slaves were given after America relocated them to Africa. The blue square stands for the African mainland and, finally, the eleven stripes on the flag represent the eleven signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence.[5] This flag has a tremendous amount of cultural and historical significance. Liberia, as the “place for freedom”, was given by the American Colonization Society who acquired the land from local tribal chiefs in 1821 for freed African slaves in America. The colony declared itself an independent nation in 1847 and the flow of immigrants dwindled to nearly zero following the end of the American Civil War. These Americo-Liberians, as they were called, became the intellectual and ruling class of Liberia, modeling the government after that of the United States of America.[6]

http://blog.liberiapastandpresent.org/?p=234

[1] “Culture of Liberia”, Wikipedia, (accessed 22 January 2015, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Liberia).

[2] “Folk Music of Liberia”, Wikipedia, (accessed 22 January 2015, http://www.folkways.si.edu/folk-music-of-liberia/world/ album/smithosonian).

[3] “Music as Storytelling”, Liberty University, (accessed 22 January 2015).

[4] “The Talking Drum”, Stream Africa, (accessed 22 January 2015, http://streamafrica.com/culture/culture-of-africa/#).

[5] “Liberia Flag”, Maps of the World, (accessed 22 January 2015, http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/leberia-flag.html).

[6] “Liberian Americans”, Countries and Their Cultures, (accessed 22 January 2015, http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Liberian-Americans.html).