E-Book Overview
Liberia has a strong connection to the United States in that it was founded by former slaves in 1822. Although Liberia had existed as an independent African nation and a symbol of hope to the African peoples under the rule of various colonial powers, its recent history has been bedeviled by a prolonged upheaval following a military coup d'etat in 1980. In this context, the narrative highlights the distinctiveness of Liberians in their negotiation of traditional indigenous and modern practices, and the changes wrought by Christianity and Western influences.
E-Book Content
Culture and Customs of Liberia
Ayodeji Olukoju
GREENWOOD PRESS
Culture and Customs of Liberia
Liberia. Cartography by Bookcomp.
Culture and Customs of Liberia 4 AYODEJI OLUKOJU
Culture and Customs of Africa Toyin Falola, Series Editor
GREENWOOD PRESS Westport, Connecticut • London
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Olukoju, Ayodeji. Culture and customs of Liberia / Ayodeji Olukoju. p. cm. — (Culture and customs of Africa, ISSN 1530–8367) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–313–33291–6 (alk. paper) 1. Liberia—Social life and customs. 2. Liberia—Civilization. I. Title. II. Series. DT629.O45 2006 966.62—dc22 2005030569 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2006 by Ayodeji Olukoju All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2005030569 ISBN 0–313–33291–6 ISSN: 1530–8367 First published in 2006 Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.greenwood.com Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Copyright Acknowledgments The author and publisher gratefully acknowledge permission to reprint the following: Song lyrics from the Liberian Studies Journal, “Categories of Traditional Liberian Songs” by Moore and “Bai T. Moore’s Poetry…” by Ofri-Scheps. Reprinted with permission of Liberian Studies Journal via Copyright Clearance Center.
In loving memory of my beloved grandparents: Naomi and Emmanuel Olukoju, of Iroho, Okia, Oka-Akoko and Ibitola and John Odole, of Iyayu, Idoani
Contents
Series Foreword
ix
Preface
xi
Acknowledgments Chronology 1 Introduction
xiii xv 1
2 Religion and Worldview
21
3 Literature and Media
41
4 Art, Architecture, and Housing
59
5 Cuisine and Traditional Dress
79
6 Gender Roles, Marriage, and Family
91
7 Social Customs and Lifestyle
109
8 Music and Dance
127
Glossary
147
Index
151
Series Foreword
Africa is a vast continent, the second largest, after Asia. It is four times the size of the United States, excluding Alaska. It is the cradle of human civilization. A diverse continent, Africa has more than fifty countries with a population of over 700 million people who speak over 1,000 languages. Ecological and cultural differences vary from one region to another. As an old continent, Africa is one of the richest in culture and customs, and its contributions to world civilization are impressive indeed. Africans regard culture as essential to their lives and future development. Culture embodies their philosophy, worldview, behavior patterns, arts, and institutions. The books in this series intend to capture the co