The man above is weaving what is commonly called "country cloth" in Liberia. From the growth of the cotton, the use of the hand-held loom to make threads; and the dying of the cloth using indigo, and finally to the complex process of weaving the cloth, everything is done with indigenous tools. There is no foreign know-how involved. Nothing is borrowed from abroad. On the side of the weaver is the completed cloth, which measures about four to five inches wide, and about 50 feet long. The stripes are sown together to make the indigenous gown for the men, and "lappa" for the women.
Indigenous-Liberian boys marching to their graduation from the "Poro" Society.They are wearing clothing made of "country-cloth" The "Poro" Society is one of the most sacred organizations among indigenous Liberians. By western standards, this institution is equivalent to an academic and a military institution combined. The Lormas of Western Liberian referred to the experience of being initiated in this institution as a "rebirth." Children do not only learn the basics that they need to survive in life, but the values of the society are drilled into them. Total respect for the elders and loyalty to the values and mores of the society are drilled into them like the exercises experienced in military-boot camp. The boys are totally isolated from their mothers for periods ranging from one to four years. This institution maintains total secrecy from women and men who are not members.
The equivalent institution for young women is called, "Zardaygai" by the Lormas of Western Liberia. This institution is also the center of learning for indigenous-Liberian girls, and maintains total secrecy from men. Only one woman can be a member of both the Poro and Zardaygai societies. In recent years, the Zardaygai institution has come under attack from the West, for allegedly practicing female circumcision.
A visit to the blacksmith's shop: The man and his son on the left are on a visit to the blacksmith's shop. The blacksmith is on the right. This is where the cutlasses, knives, and hoes are made, repaired, and sharpened. Smithing is passed down from one generation to the other.
Lorma-Liberian women selling their produce in an open market in Voinjama, Lofa County, in north-western Liberia. These open markets sell: fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, palm oil, fish (fresh and dry), meat (fresh and dry), cassava, eddoes, firewood, clothing, etc.
"The days of the harvest!" Liberians harvesting rice, fish, palm nuts, coffee, and sugar cane. Rice and fish are the basic staples of the Liberian people. Cooking oil is extracted from palm nuts; sugar cane is used to extract "cane juice" an alcoholic beverage whose alcoholic content can measure as high as 86% and higher; and coffee is one of the major exports of Liberia.
This is a suspension bridge constructed by some of the indigenous Liberians across a river. Such bridges are hand made, and constructed out of materials from the forest. In a land where half of the year is dominated by the raining season, where streams, ponds, and rivers overflow their banks and create massive flooding, these bridges are needed for the people to carry on a normal life in the rural ennvironment.
A favorite pastime among some indigenous Liberians is this game which is being played by these two women. The movement and the rules are closely related checkers.
Music and dance are inherently part of indigenous village life in Liberia. The people dance and sing for the departed souls that have joined their ancestors; they sing and dance at engagements and weddings; they sing and dance for distinguished visitors; and they sing and dance when they feel like it. The picture above shows some of the instruments used in music and dance. On the left is a drum which is played under the arm. On top of the drum is a stick shaped like a hammer, which is used to beat the drum. Various sounds are created by squeezing the arm on the ropes around the drum. If you want a louder sound, you squeeze harder on the ropes. Among the Lorma-Liberians, the drum is called, "Tardegai." At the right of the drum is what's called the "sasa," among some Liberians. The Lorma-Liberians called it, "Kpolui." The kpolui, which comes in various sizes, is played by holding the ropes at the top with one hand, holding the bottom of the kpolui with the other hand, and shaking it. At the extreme right is another musical instrument usually found among Kpelle-Liberians, Mandingo-Liberians, and Kissi-Liberians. The sounds from this instrument is closer to the guitar.
The indigenous-Liberian sword and saber above, is about 30 inches long, and was used in battles in times past. Both the sword and saber were manufactured locally with no foreign materials. At the right hand side is the currency used by the indigenous people. The Liberians called the currency, "bars." Various denomination of the currency measured from 10 inches to 20 inches. In times past, it served as the medium of exchange and the store of value. To abrogate the sovereignty of the indigenous nations and bring them under Liberian rule, one of the acts passed by the Liberian legislature banned the "bars."
The car in front, accompanied by a military jeep, is carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States. The picture was taken in January 1943, while President Roosevelt was on his way to inspect the Firestone Plantations Company in Harbel, Firestone. For more information on his state visit to Liberia, see the history page.
The circular structure of the houses and the conical roof is the basic structure of all indigenous-Liberian houses. The roofing comes from two sources: palm fronds, and special fronds found on hills and mountain tops. The roofings used have a natural resistance to rainfall, which is necessary to withstand the torrential rains of the raining season, which last from April to November.
To obtain your copy please call toll free at:1-888-795-4274 or 215-923-4686, or write, Xlibris Coporation, 436 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 19113. Xlibris delivers through UPS, consequently, PO boxes are not accepted. To order online, please go to: Order Book Online
A Brief History of the Liberian People
Dedication of this web site
The Basic Diet of the Liberian People
Antelope:39 African slaves liberated and sent to Liberia
Experiences of Liberians Studying and Working Overseas
Links to other Liberian web sites:
Current News from Liberia, presented by "STAR RADIO."
STAR RADIO is an independent radio station in Liberia, which is managed by Swiss NGO Foundation Hirondelle, and financed by the United States Agency for International Development, through the International Foundation for Elections Systems. The station began transmitting news since July 15, 1997 on FM 104 MHz in English, Liberian English, French,
Bassa, Dey, Gbande, Gola, Grebo, Lorma, Kissi, Kpelle, Khran, Kru, Mandingo, Mano, and Vai.
British Broadcasting Service:--Focus on Africa.
Amnesty International: Documents on the Liberian -Civil War
Liberian Embassy, Washington, D.C.
Cuttington University College.
Liberian Connection.
Ijoma Flemister's Fokpah Liberia Webspace
Africa Online "chat room":Liberia
Coalition of Progressive Liberians in the Americas.
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This website was designed and is maintained by: Joseph K. Tellewoyan