Thursday, August 13, 2015 Presented By: John Willie-The Liberian Association of Arizona Culture of Liberia Highlights  Tribal Migrations  Tribal Structures  Secret Societies and Pawn System  Traditional Schools  Traditional Marriages in Liberian Culture-Bassa Tribe  Americo-Liberian Cultural Influence

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Presented By: John Willie-The Liberian Association of Arizona Culture of Liberia Tribal Migrations  6000BC-Gola, Kpelle, Loma, Gbandi, Mende, Mano  1800-Gio, Krahn, Kissi, and Bella  Vai and Mandingo  1500-Kru, Bassa, Dei, Mamba, and Grebo  1800-Americo-Liberians

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Presented By: John Willie-The Liberian Association of Arizona Culture of Liberia Tribal Structure  Rural Social Structure –Villages and towns formed Chiefdom –Chiefdoms formed a Clan of Chiefdom –Alliances of clans formed the Paramount Chiefdom

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Presented By: John Willie-The Liberian Association of Arizona Culture of Liberia Secret Societies and Pawn System  Secret Societies –Poro society -Kpelle, Lorma, Kissi, Mende; Belle Boys are thought to hunt, farm, and be fathers Girls are thought to be mothers and care givers –Sande society-Bassa, Vai; Mandingo Boys are thought to hunt, farm, and be fathers Girls are thought to be mothers and care givers –Mason and UBF societies Introduced by Americo Liberians Excellent way to control the people and retain economy influence UBF member could get a job easily if another member was hiring  Pawn System – (abolished in 1930) –Similar to slavery The Pawnee is held and perform work as needed until the money or something owed is paid in full. Just like a pawn shop except in this case, it is not jewelry, but human pawns working in slave-like conditions.

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Presented By: John Willie-The Liberian Association of Arizona Culture of Liberia Schools and Marriages  Traditional Schools –Bush school Boys are thought to hunt, farm, and be fathers Girls are thought to be mothers and care givers –Western school Pre school to University western style  Traditional Marriage in Liberian Culture-Bassa Tribe –The boy’s parent pay $40 and ask for the girl’s hand in marriage –If the girl decides to end the marriage, her parent pay the $40 back. –If the boy ends the marriage, the girl’s parent still pays the $40 back  Western Marriages –Marriage in the church by a priest or pastor

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Presented By: John Willie-The Liberian Association of Arizona Culture of Liberia Americo-Liberian  Cultural Influence –Introduction of electoral process True Whig Party-ruled until 1980 Democratic government with a one party system –Social influence Media and fashion Common TV and movies as USA Music-mix of African, Western, and Caribbean

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Presented By: John Willie-The Liberian Association of Arizona Culture of Liberia “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 accomplish with a little cooperation.

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Presented By: John Willie-The Liberian Association of Arizona Culture of Liberia Any ?