The People Groups of Liberia

"The Sixteen Tribes"
A Popular Carving Piece Sold in Liberia

When the US encouraged and supported groups of "free people of color" to return to Africa in the 1800's they did not arrive at a desolate land.  These Americo-Liberians, as they became called, found a variety of ethnic groups already living and settled in what is now modern day Liberia.  Ethnologists and linguists have discovered all sorts of groups and subgroups, but the traditional number of Liberian tribes is 16.  These 16 people groups can themselves be structured into 3 linguistic groups:

• Mel (consisting of the Gola and Kissi tribes)
• Kru (Bassa, Bella, Dei, Grebo, Krahn, Kru)
• Mande (Bandi, Gio, Kpelle, Loma, Mandingo, Mano, Mende, Vai)

NOTE: These groups are notorious for having a multitude of different spellings and names.  For example, the "Gio" are also called the "Dan" or the "Yakuba"; the "Loma" are also called the "Buzi"; and the "Mende" are also known as the "Boumpe", "Hulo", or "Kosso".  Besides the different names one may encounter for some of these people groups there are a multitude of different spellings for almost all of these groups.  For example the "Kissi" people can be listed as "Kisi", "Gisi", "Gizi", or "Kissien".

Traditional Territories of Liberian Tribes
Creative Commons License

Largest Ethnic Groups in Liberia

The four largest people groups in Liberia make up over 50% of the population.  The largest group is comprised of the Kpelle people (aka Gbese, Kpele, Kpesso, Kpwesi, Kpwessi, Pessa, Pessy) and they make up approximately 20% of the entire population of Liberia.  The second largest group is the Bassa who make up roughly 16%.  The Gio/Dan (8%) and the Kru (7%) round out the top four most populous tribes of Liberia.  

Who Were the First Liberians?

The Earliest Settlers

Who were the earliest settlers of Liberia? Was it a Gola/Kissi proto-tribe? The Dei? The Dua? Many histories I've read believe that it was the Gola people who were the first to arrive in what is modern day Liberia.  However, traditions have been passed on that when they arrived they found some Dei (De, Dei, Dewoi, Dewoin, Dey) peoples already settled here. Even more mysteriously these Gola found the Jinna (Jina) or more specifically the Dua (Dwarf) peoples. 

Jinna and Dua

The Jinna (associated with our word 'geni') are apparantly spirit beings with great magic and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and bodies. One particular type of Jinna are the Dua people and it is speculated by some that they were the first Liberians.  These Dua have become the thing of legends (although some still claim to have seen them) and they were possibly a pygmy race that lived in caves and the hollows of fallen trees while living off the jungle in ancient Liberia.  They also possessed great magic power and so they have become associated with the Jinna or as a manifestation of the Jinna. The Jinna in general are believed to know deep magic and they still continue to play a role in Liberian legend, lore & ritual.  For a great definition and illustration of this read "WARNING! Do Not Bathe or Wash Clothes Today and Tomorrow, You Must Not Eat!"

The Kissi People

Another early group are the Kissi and they are perhaps associated with these early Gola. Perhaps there was a proto group from which they both derive? Whatever the case, the Kissi people are classified in the same linguistic family with the Gola. The problem with that is they are not mutually understood and in fact, some linguists have placed Gola in its own peculiar language grouping.  The Kissi are today found not too far from the Gola in Liberia (and also in Sierra Leone and Guinea) and I'll discuss two interesting features of the Kissi here.  First, they have been known to sharpen their incisors for cosmetic and/or ritualistic purposes.  Secondly, they are most famously known for their iron bars that they used as money (called Kissi pennies) up into the 20th century.

The Second Wave

The second major wave of peoples to arrive still remain on the edges of recorded history thousands of years before Christ.  This group was known as the "Kumbas" or the people of King Kumba.  This  chief Kumba apparantly conquered the Golas and set up his ancient empire in what is now Liberia.  After his death his peoples subdivided into what is now known as the Bandi, Kpelle, Loma, Mano, Gio, and Mende.  

The Third Wave

A Traditional Bassa Greeting
For more on this event check out "The Spotted Man of Zondo and His Ancient Horn"

In comparatively more modern times (1500's AD) a third big migration of Kru (sometimes called Kwa) peoples came from the modern-day Cote d'Ivoire area.  This group comprised of the Bassa, Bella, Dei, Grebo, Krahn, and Kru.  The Kru are interesting in that they settled the coast and were skilled sailors and fishermen and today are major players in the fishing industry of Liberia.  This also meant that they were the ones most targeted for forced ship labor by European ships.  Some speculate that their name "Kru" derives from the word "crew" into which they were often conscripted. The Kru were also targets of a modern day (1900's) conscription in the infamous Fernando Po incident that I'll discuss in a later post.

The Last 'Native' Migration to Liberia

The last great migration before the Americo-Liberians arrived in the 1800's comprised of the Vai (Gallinas, Gallines, Vei, Vy) and Mandingo (Mandinka, Malinke, Mandinko) peoples.  They came in waves during the 16th and 17th centuries respectively and are similar in two major aspects.  First, both of these groups are from the same linguistic family (Mande).  Secondly, they are both Muslim.  (Liberia is roughly 10% Muslim and these two groups make up the bulk of the population of this religious perspective in Liberia.  It is estimated that Liberia is also 30% Christian and 60% Animistic, although these stats seem to be in constant flux).  

There are some differences between these two Mande groups however. For example, the Vai are quite settled in Northwest Liberia and parts of neighboring Sierra Leone, the Mandingo people however continue to have much larger population centers outside of Liberia.  Liberia has approximately 200,000 Mandingo, but compare this to the nations of Guinea (3,000,000), Mali (2,600,000), Burkina Faso (2,000,000), Niger (1,900,000) and The Gambia (714,000 - where they make up 42% of the population).  In Liberia the Mandingo make up close to 7% of the population but they draw on these other larger population centers outside of Liberia to become a major force of trade and business dealings in Liberia.  In other words, they are small in population size in Liberia, but they are well-connected throughout West Africa.

Some Traditional "Devil" Costumes found on a wall in Vai Territory
Robertsport, Liberia

Other Ethnic Groups Living In Liberia

There are also other people groups that add to the diversity of the culture of Liberia.  One group is the Lebanese and Syrian business community that used to dominate the trade in Liberia.  Since the UN presence after the Civil Wars however this group has had major competition from Indian, Pakistani and Chinese businessmen.  The Fanti people from Ghana also continue to reside in Liberia and trade in the fishing industry.  Besides these major sub-groups engaged in Liberian culture there are also many businessmen from neighboring African nations (especially members of ECOWAS) and European and North American communities mostly focused on humanitarian causes.

A Fanti Town near Buchanan, Liberia

The Wonderful Mix That Makes Liberia

Take all of these people groups together with the Americo-Liberians from the US and you get a very interesting mix of cultures, languages (approximately 32 (counting dialects)) and ethnicities.  Liberia is a melting pot of cultures that sometimes clash and sometimes compliment one another.  There has also been a lot of intermarriages and several aggressive national unification initiatives that have brought about blurred lines between these tribal distinctions.  This is especially true in the city of Monrovia which now is home to almost 30% (1,000,000) of the population all by itself!  Outside of Monrovia and especially as one gets away from any of the Liberian cities and further into the traditional territories of specific tribes and clans these distinctions will become more defined and the old traditions will be more valued and preserved by the people living there.  As one can see, Liberia is a very diverse and complex experience!      





  

Languages of Liberia

All the languages of Liberia are classified under the Niger-Congo family (including the Akan branch of the Fanti, but excluding the Liberian English and Lebanese, etc. imported to the region).  There are two main sub-groups under this heading as follows:

• Mande (this includes Bandi, Gio, Kpelle, Loma, Mandinka (Mandingo), Mano, Mende & Vai) [Here is an interesting map of this language distributed throughout West Africa]
• Atlantic-Congo (this includes the Kru and Mel groups listed in the previous post )

The distribution of these languages is shown in the map below with the Atlantic-Congo family separated into the more specific Kru and Atlantic (Mel) groups:

Language map of Liberia
from Ethnologue.com - Used by permission

I don't want to get too technical here.  Instead I'd like to give you an opportunity to actually hear some of these languages spoken.  I've been searching the internet for audio files of these languages and have found the following examples (most are from missionary translation work of the bible or the Jesus Film).  Enjoy hearing Liberia speak!:


Mande Languages:

• Bandi
• Gio/Dan 
• Kpelle
• Loma
• Mandinka (Mandingo tribe)
• Mano
• Mende
• Vai (check out the cool script on the opening title sequence --- this is a native script that has an interesting history I hope to share about at a later date)

Atlantic-Congo Languages:


Kru Languages:

• Bassa - I also have a post on "How To Count To Ten in Bassa".
• Kuwaa (Bella Tribe)  --- (click on the link at the bottom right that reads, "play an audio sample")
• Dewoin (Dei Tribe) (click on the link at the bottom right that reads, "play an audio sample")
• Grebo
• Tchien - Krahn (Krahn Tribe)
• Kru

Atlantic (Mel) Languages:

• Gola
• Kissi

Lastly there is actually a Liberian English version recorded as well.  That can be heard here. (you will have to select a 'Message' then select a 'version' then click 'hear an audio sample'.)  For a brief introduction to Liberian English you can check out my earlier post here.  


I hope you enjoyed hearing Liberia speak!

Pen-Pens: The New Way To Get Around

This Bike came from Ganta to Conference in Monrovia where we taught.

One thing that has definitely changed since I used to live here were the Pen-Pens (motorcycles) that now swarm the streets of Liberia.  There are still taxis and buses and bicycles but there are Pen-Pens everywhere swerving in and out of traffic making their namesake sound with their horn: "Peen Peen!".  


We mostly took automobile taxis as they seem to be more safe, but I took a moto-bike taxi several times and it was quite an adventure!  No one wears helmets.  No one obeys traffic laws.  No one stops for pedestrians.  In fact, some Pen-Pen drivers seemed to get a chuckle out of laying on their horn and startling the unsuspecting as they drive by.  There are some of those types in every society.


PROS:  You get there faster.  Can handle bad road conditions better than autos and buses.  Fresh air and "cycle therapy" with the wind in your hair and all that jazz.


CONS:  You may not get there!  Exposed to elements/opportune thieves.  Not always seen by larger vehicles.

My big Kpelle brother, Daniel K. Biah, who took me on several Pen-Pen rides through Buchanan

As with any taxi ride, you put your life in the hands of the driver.  Don't hesitate to say, "Slow down!"  Here is a brief part of one of my Pen-Pen trips through Buchanan in Grand Bassa County, Liberia.

Introduction to Liberian English - Part 2

Liberian Girl with a red deer (or duiker?) that is called by Liberians something that sounds like "Folding Tonga".  They are prized for their meat.

Due to the popularity of the earlier article on Liberian English I've listed some more terms and phrases that you can add to your travel dictionary.

This is Part II of an "Introduction to Liberian English"  You can visit that article in order to read a bit more about Liberian English itself and also see more Liberian English words and phrases defined.

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Baboon - this is actually what we call a chimpanzee and not what we would call a baboon.  I have no idea when, where, or how the change up came about, but when you hear a Liberian talking about a "baboon" think "chimpanzee".  

Book - can mean "the law" or simply used as a metonym for being educated.
  "That man know book"

Burst (possibly "bust"? pronounced "bus") - can mean to devour something; and also to injure something.  -- "damage" is also used for devouring food as in 'we damaged the palm butter'.
   "I tell you, I can bus some rice"

Bush - the interior or the tropical rain forest of Liberia; jungle.

Caustic - poison
  "She give them children caustic and they die-o"

Chaklah - to destroy or mess something up.  Not really sure where this comes from but I've heard it used the following way...   
    "The soldier come and chalklah the whole area"

Coal Tar ("koh tah") -  paved road versus the prevalent dirt roads that make up most of Liberia's road system.
   "The koh tah fini at the junction."

Congo - This is a term used to describe Americo-Liberians and not usually used of someone actually from the Congo.  The infamous Liberian chant "Country woman born soldier, Congo woman born rouge" which was sung when Doe overthrew the Americo-Liberian rule of Liberia in 1980 is an example of this term.  This chant/song infers that the "country" or indigenous peoples of Liberia (see below) gave birth to a conquering soldier (Samuel Doe) and all that the Americo-Liberians gave birth to were "rouges" or thieves that stole from Liberia.  

Country - this used to refer to any native Liberian who was not from the Americo-Liberian elite.  It now refers to the interior "bush" culture or area of Liberia and it is sometimes used as a derogatory comment in reference to someone or something being inferior.  This is true even if the people calling someone "country" are not Americo-Liberian themselves.  One example of this term is "country cloth" - the old hand made lappas that were made in the "bush" before the mass produced and printed lappas took over the Liberian markets of today.  Another example:  "She country" - I've seen this used both derisively and also with a smile while shaking the head which seemed to mean "that is just the way she is and I love her for it".

Cruso - Cashew.  I have no idea where this pronunciation comes from, but this is how it sounds to me when someone points to a cashew and says its name in Liberian English.  The actual cashew is thrown on the ground and is considered "caustic".  The cashew fruit is the part that is eaten and they are delicious!

My brother holding a "Cashew Apple"  -  the brown part on the top is the actual cashew nut

Cutlass ("culeh") -  machete.  According to a theory by Tim Butcher in his book on Liberia, "Chasing the Devil", this is a term left over from the age of Liberian coastal peoples interacting with European traders who called their swords "cutlasses" just like the old swashbuckling pirates of olden days.  
   "I have no culeh to make farm."

Devil - a costumed individual that dances in the streets with an entourage.  In the city this is sometimes for visitors, tourists or celebrations.  In the bush it is much more closely aligned with the Poro and Sande Secret Societies.  Devil Bush is another use of this term and is one of the names for the secret location in the jungle where initiations take place.  

Dialect ("dielay") - the indigenous languages of Liberia like Bassa, Kpelle, Vai, etc.  For example, at some churches that are for whatever reason in transition from their traditional language into English they might have both an English speaking choir and a "Dialect Choir" which sings in their first language.
  "Dielay choir director can sing-o!"

GB - You may see this advertised on street side chop shops.  It is a kind of hard and fermented fufu that is mostly preferred in Nimba County.  One swallows the hard blocks of GB and washes them down with a soup called "slippery soup" that sometimes contains rancid meat.  An acquired taste that some Liberians do not even like.  I have never tried it yet, and it isn't really on my bucket list either, but who knows?

Issue (or more specifically "Issue in the press") - This can refer to dog meat.  The story behind this is that most Liberians did not confess to eating dog before the Civil War when it was not considered civilized, but during recent hard times all food was game.  In order to keep one's dignity and not order "dog meat" to eat at the chop shop a system was created.  Dog meat was kept in a 5 gallon bucket and covered with newspaper and someone could order an "issue" of this paper and get dog meat.  A seller with fresh dog meat could then walk around with his bucket yelling "Issue! Issue in the press!" and thereby keep his dignity by not having to yell, "Dog meat!  Get your fresh dog meat here!"  Some developed a taste for dog after having to eat it during those days and an "issue in the press" can still be found in the market if you are so inclined to look for it.  There are many in Liberia who love dog meat today however I am not planning on trying this!

Juke - to stab, often used to describe a painful injury or to intimidate
   Example of intimidation:  "You know me?  I will juke you!"

Monkey Apple - there are actually two completely different fruits that are both called "monkey apple" in Liberia.  One is the fruit that we would call a "star fruit" the other I have never seen in the US and have pictured below.

This red spikey fruit is also called a "Monkey Apple".  The red skin is peeled off and a grape-like, slimy yet sweet substance surrounds the seed inside.

My People Coming (or "My people now coming") - this is a phrase used when someone believes they might die or when they are so terrified they feel that their life is in danger.  I watched a grown man leap over a patio wall while he was yelling, "The soldier here!  My people now coming - o!"  I was running right behind him!

Not Correct - someone who has to face more than the average amount of mental challenges.
  "That woman is not correct."

Plum - the is what we would call a mango.  There are different varieties with different seasons.  I remember one mango that Liberians called a "German plum" that I liked.  When you hear "plum" in Liberia think "mango".  

Reed  ("ree") - this is what we would call bamboo.  To make matters a bit more confusing there is actually another plant with very thin stems that Liberians do call bamboo.
  "We got plenty ree for cutting." - as in "We have an abundance of bamboo to make things with."

Sliding - this is the Liberian term for "surfing" as is captured in the surfing documentary "Sliding Liberia"

OK --- Well, there you have some more Liberian English terms and phrases that have come to mind today.  I hope to do another entry sometime later as I recall more.  I'm due for another trip back and I'll try to take better notes next time.  Remember the best way to get the proper pronunciation and rhythm is to go to Liberia and speak with and listen to the people of Liberia.  Blessings!