How the Bassa Got Their Name

There are several histories out there concerning the Bassa people of Liberia.  Some claim they descend from the Abyssinian people and from this their name was derived (i.e. “A-bassa-nia”) others claim differently.  Dr. Syrulwah Soma has written a book on the history of the Bassa (Nyanyan Gohn Manan: History, Migration and Government of the Bassa) in which he proposes that there were actually Bassa on the throne of Egypt as Pharaohs and that at one point in their history the Bassa traded with Hano of Carthage and led armies in conquest of ancient India.  One thing is certain and that is that there is a common oral tradition among the Bassa as to how they got their name.    

Today I will share this theory with you on how they got their name “Bassa.” I received this first from Dr. Abba Karnga, a man who has done much to try and preserve the ancient tales, proverbs and customs of the Bassa people.  The following tale is a common oral tradition among the Bassa concerning how they came to be called “Bassa”.

Dr. Abba Karnga and Heath Vogel in Buchanan, Liberia in 2011

The areas of modern day Liberia in which the Bassa are concentrated (roughly Grand Bassa and parts of Margibi & River Cess Counties) was at one time called the “Gboo” territory.  They were named after Chief Gboo, who was an ancient and mighty chief of the people that would later be called Bassa.   These people who were ruled by Gboo were called “Gboo Nyohn Bey” which simply means “Gboo’s people.”  The name of this ancient tribe changed from Gboo Nyohn Bey to Bassa during the arrival of the Europeans.  Here is how that happened…

An Old Map of Liberia showing "BASSA COVE" near Pennsylvania Colony which was settled by Black Quakers from Pennsylvania during the ACS/Back to Africa Movement

When the Europeans arrived on the Liberian coast to trade in iron, pepper and slaves they met with the Gboo Nyohn Bey  on the coast (possibly around modern day Buchanan which was first called Basa Cove by the Europeans).  At that time the chief in that area was a man who called himself Mr. Rock (or Father Stone as some say).  Now the Bassa word for ‘rock or stone’ is ‘Saw’ and the Bassa word for ‘master or father’ is ‘Bah’ and so Chief “Bah Saw” became the man with whom the Europeans did their business.  Mr. Rock’s servants who interacted with the Europeans called themselves the “Bah Saw Nyohn Bey” or “Mr. Rock’s People”.  Chief BahSaw and the “Bah Saw Nyon Bey” therefore became a representative of the Gboo Nyohn Bey to the European traders.  As it was difficult for the Europeans to call them “Bah Saw Nyohn Bey” they shortened it to “Bah Saw” or simply “Basa” as some of the old European maps show.  And so that is how the name Bassa was placed upon Chief Gboo’s people.  

The Spotted Man of Zondo and His Ancient Horn

Before entering Zondo I was told about the Dor-kpa (Bassa for 'lappa' or 'towel').  I wasn't told why the horn was given the peculiar name of 'lappa', but I was told that the Dor-kpa is an ancient elephant tusk horn that was captured by this village in battle more than 200 years ago.  “It was before the Independence of Liberia”, my host Floyd Morgan said.  That happened in 1847.  Heaven knows how old the horn was when it was captured.  “The Dor-kpa is very special to this village," I was told.  Supposedly many Bassa and surrounding peoples are aware of this village and know it as the place that holds the Dor-kpa, the ancient elephant tusk horn won in battle.

Floyd Morgan holding the ancient 'Dor-kpa' an elephant tusk horn.

President Sirleaf Johnson visits Zondo on April 23, 2011
(photo by Floyd Morgan)

The other thing Floyd told me about the Dor-kpa was that it was “beat” (or blown) whenever a major event happened in their community.  For example whenever a chief died or a new one was announced or as had just happened a few months before, when the President of Liberia Ellen Sirleaf Johnson visited Zondo.  In all of Liberia’s history she was the first president to ever visit this rather remote part of Liberia.  

The Next In Line to become the
'Beater of the Lappa'

I was also told that the Dor-kpa was only blown by a certain lineage of specially trained individuals and there was only one man in the community allowed to blow it.  He was currently training his son to follow in his footsteps after him as the 'Beater of the Lappa,' the only one who is allowed to blow the Dor-kpa (i.e., 'Lappa').  The last thing he told me about the horn before I arrived was that they planned on “beating the Lappa” upon our arrival to the village.  I was humbled and deeply honored.

Sure enough when we arrived we were welcomed with over 15 minutes of ancient Bassa songs accompanied by the Dor-kpa.  I have still to get these three songs translated, but the Bassa people with me told me that one of the songs was sung in ancient days for a great warrior or chief when he entered the village.  Another song was sung to us as if we were hunters returning to the village with an elephant.  It was a song of rejoicing as an elephant could feed everyone in the village for months.  The last song had something to do with the community and having each other’s back.  We were getting a royal welcome!  

As you can see from the video above the men’s bodies are painted with white spots.  This is the traditional war paint of the Bassa people and represents leopard spots.  The fact that these are warriors greeting us somehow symbolizes respect to us.  We were greatly honored and blessed to meet the wonderful people of Zondo.

The Spotted Man with The Ancient Horn Himself!