History and Culture of Liberia. Presented by: John Deryusorh Willie

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "History and Culture of Liberia. Presented by: John Deryusorh Willie"

Jacob Lester
6 years ago
Views:

1 History and Culture of Liberia Presented by: John Deryusorh Willie 1

2 About Our Organization-Liberian Association of Arizona The Liberian Association of Arizona, LAA was formed to support Community activities in Arizona, and also keep Liberians connected with other Liberians in the United States and in Liberia. In 2003 & 2004, we had many refugees arriving and it became apparent that we needed to do more to keep the community together. We have worked with several groups to support the needs of the refugees as best as possible. Most of the refugees have become integrated into the American society. Big thanks to everyone. We have had several crisis with one that stands out. This was the case of the 9 year old that was raped. The organization responded with our leader, Dr. Robert Sherman, working with the media, state officials as well as keeping the Liberian Government inform until the situation came to a conclusion. LAA web site was useful and refuting charges made about the Liberian society and rape. There are many splinter organizations, but the true representative of the community has always been The Liberian Association of Arizona. Our struggle has been generating funds to support various community activities, but we have managed to survive. LAA (501C organization) welcomes any support and donations that can be used to better the Liberian community in Phoenix and the Arizona area. Our current needs Long term community center (tutoring, Daycare center, adult literacy center, community programs) 2

state of Tennessee Bordering countries are Sierra Leone (Gallinas territory)

3 Where Liberia is Located? Liberia is located on the west coast of Africa, and is about the size of the state of Tennessee Bordering countries are Sierra Leone (Gallinas territory) in the west, Guinea in the north, and the Ivory Coast in the east The Atlantic ocean covers the south of the Liberian coast 3

Mamba, and Dei-1500 from present day Ivory Coast.

4 Tribes of Liberia-one nation many people Liberia consists of 17 indigenous tribal groups and the Americo-Liberians The Kumba tribes-gola, Lorma, Kpelle, Gbandi, Mende, and Mano-600BC Bassa, Kru, Grebo, Mamba, and Dei-1500 from present day Ivory Coast. Vai and Mandingo-Niger region and Western Sudan in Krahn, Gio, Kissi, and Bella- Congo Basin via Ivory Coast 1700 Americo Liberian, West Indians, and Congo-People

5 Brief Political History of Liberia The Presidents Three assassinated presidents: a. E.J. Roye (1871) b. William R. Tolbert Jr. (1980) c. Samuel K. Doe (1990) Four presidents who resigned: a. Anthony W. Gardiner (1883) b. William D. Coleman (1900) c. Charles D.B. King (1930) d. Charles G. Taylor (2003) 5

History of Presidents of Liberia Liberia has had 23 Presidents and 8 Interim-Presidents

and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-current and Africa s first female president.

were of full tribal descent-samuel Doe and Gyude Bryant At least two, possibly three

Presidents were deposed in a coup d état one of them in a military coup One President was

6 History of Presidents of Liberia Liberia has had 23 Presidents and 8 Interim-Presidents Liberia is the only African country that has had 2 female Head of States-Ruth Perry (Interim) and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-current and Africa s first female president. 12 Presidents were born in the USA 11 Presidents were born in Liberia Only two Presidents were of full tribal descent-samuel Doe and Gyude Bryant At least two, possibly three Presidents were assassinated Two more Presidents died in office Four Presidents resigned Two Presidents were deposed in a coup d état one of them in a military coup One President was removed during a civil war One President served over 27 years- William V.S. Tubman One president only served two months- Moses Blah. 6

7 Historical Timeline of Liberia Timeline of important historical events of Liberia Black Colonization Colony to Republic Nation Survival Exploration & Grebo war Lost of the Gallinas Lost of the Cavalla lands Nation of Many people End of Americo- Liberian Rule Civil War Officially Ends Present ACS sends wave of Americo- Liberians to Africa Liberia becomes an independent nation The nation struggles financially and internally Hinterland exploration and the Grebos at war. France helps Britain uses force and annexed land to Sierra Leone France uses force and annexed Liberian land to the Ivory Coast Battle for land between the tribes and Americo- Liberians Military rule and civil war ensued Return to Civil Society 7

Custom, Traditions, and Religion Respect for Elders and parents Kola nut is offer on special occasion as a token of respect Punctuality: Liberians are never on time-add approximately 1-2 hours to the

8 Custom, Traditions, and Religion Respect for Elders and parents Kola nut is offer on special occasion as a token of respect Punctuality: Liberians are never on time-add approximately 1-2 hours to the actual time of start of an appointment or program. Christmas, New year, Flag Day, and July 26 (independence day) are the major holidays. Liberia is a predominant Christian nation, but has a Muslim population as well-who said Islam and Christianity cannot co-exist? 8

9 Government of Liberia The government of Liberia is similar to that of the United States of America. Branches of Government are: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial The Executive branch is the president and his/her cabinets. The Legislature consist of the House of Senate and Representative The Judicial branch controls the courts and upholds the constitution Liberia is a Republic 9

Economy of Liberia Liberia is also rich in Gold, Diamond, timber, Rubber, and Iron ore. US dollar is the current currency along with the Liberian dollar, LD.

10 Economy of Liberia Liberia is also rich in Gold, Diamond, timber, Rubber, and Iron ore. US dollar is the current currency along with the Liberian dollar, LD. Liberia has one of the most fertile soil in the world-just drop a seed and you can have a farm. Old Economy: Kissi Money or Money with a soulintroduced by the Lorma, Gbandi, Kpelle, Gola, Kissi, Mende-Kumba tribes, and Mandingo Zoe or traditional witch doctor s needed to rejoin the money when broken Abolished by the British and French in 1936 & 1940 Completely abolished in Now use by the Sande and Poro society for home coming of boys and girls from the bush schools. Resources: US Library of Congress Some Selected material from Wikipedia Kissi Money 10

11 Head, Body Legs - Won Ldy Paye - A magical retelling of a creation story from Liberia. Long ago, Head was all by himself. He had no legs, no arms, no body. He rolled everywhere Head is all alone. Body bounces along. Arms swing about, and legs stand around. They can t do much by themselves, so they try to join together. But how? Should Head attach to the belly button? Should legs stand on arms? If only they can work together, everything will be perfect. This vibrant retelling of a traditional Liberian creation story shows how much can be accomplished with a little cooperation. Things could be much better if we just learn to make a perfect body (LAA organization) by working together.

12 Culture of Liberia Any? Resources: US Library of Congress Some Selected material from Wikipedia

LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS SUMMARY ACTIVITIES REPORT THREE(3) SECTIONS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND HIV/AIDS

LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS SUMMARY ACTIVITIES REPORT THREE(3) SECTIONS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND HIV/AIDS PRESENTED BY ABRAHAM DUGBE NIMENE DEPUTY DIRECTOR/WORKERS EDUCATION LIBERIA LABOUR CONGRESS