Liberia

Liberia joins indigenous Kru, Mano and Gola peoples with Americo-Liberian heritage in masks, weaving and song.

Spirituality & rites Textile & dress Crafts Food & cooking Language & oral

Knowledge in this place

Poro society masks

Poro society masks

The men's Poro society carves and dances masks that govern initiation and law.

Spirituality & rites

Lappa cloth weaving

Lappa cloth weaving

Weavers produce striped country cloth lappa worn and exchanged at ceremonies.

Textile & dress

Gola figure carving

Gola figure carving

Carvers shape wooden figures and stone heads tied to ancestor veneration.

Palm butter cooking

Palm butter cooking

Palm butter is a rich stew of palm fruit pulp simmered with meat or fish over rice.

Vai syllabary

Vai syllabary

The Vai people use an indigenous syllabic script invented in the 19th century.

Language & oral