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.