HISTORY of LIBERIA
Liberia was founded by American slaves in 1847
Country Name: Republic of Liberia
Capital: Monrovia
Independence: July 26, 1847
Government Type: Republic (Legislative, Executive & Judicial Branch)
Legal System:
Dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector, and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices, for the indigenous sector.
Country Name: Republic of Liberia
Capital: Monrovia
Independence: July 26, 1847
Government Type: Republic (Legislative, Executive & Judicial Branch)
Legal System:
Dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector, and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices, for the indigenous sector.
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The Liberian Flag
The Liberia’s national flag is called “LONE STAR”. The eleven horizontal stripes represent the eleven signers of the declaration of independence, and the constitution of the Republic of Liberia; the blue field symbolizes the continent of Africa; the five pointed white star depicts Liberia as the first “independent republic” on the continent of Africa; the red color designates “valor”, the white, “purity”; and the blue, “fidelity”. Although these representations are uniquely Liberian, the flag itself is a replica of “Old Glory”, the national flag of the United States. |
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The American Colonization Society: The Founder of Current Day Liberia
The American Colonization Society, organized on Dec, 1816-Jan. 1817, at Washington, D.C., to transport free blacks from the United States, and settle them in Africa. The freeing of many slaves, principally by idealists, created a serious problem. No sound provisions were made for establishing the freed slaves in society, on an equal basis with white Americans, anywhere in the United States. Robert Finley, principal founder of the colonization society, found much support among prominent men, notably Henry Clay.
Money was raised, with some indirect help from the federal government, when (1819) Congress appropriated $100,000 to return African blacks that were illegally brought to the United States. In 1821, an agent, Eli Ayers, and Lt. R.F. Stockton of the U.S. Navy, purchased land in Africa, where, subsequently, Jehudi Ashmun, and Ralph R. Gurley laid the foundations of Liberia. More than 11,000 blacks were transported to Liberia before 1860.
From 1865, until its dissolution in 1912, the society was a sort of trustee for Liberia.
Beginning in 1989, Liberia was plagued by years of civil unrest. In 1987, Charles Taylor, and his National Patriotic Party (NPP), won the elections. The years of civil turmoil have been very disruptive to Liberia’s growth, and the country was faced with the challenging task of rebuilding societal, and economic structures ravaged by the war.
After a 14 ½ years of civil war, Liberia held the presidential election in October 2005. Harvard-educated, Mrs. Ellen Johnson –Sirleaf, was elected Liberia’s 23rd president in a runoff election with Mr. George Weah, an international soccer star. The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which maintains a strong presence throughout the country with over 15,000 troops, completed a disarmament program for former combatants in late 2004, but the security situation is still volatile, and the process of rebuilding the social, and economic structure remains sluggish.
The American Colonization Society, organized on Dec, 1816-Jan. 1817, at Washington, D.C., to transport free blacks from the United States, and settle them in Africa. The freeing of many slaves, principally by idealists, created a serious problem. No sound provisions were made for establishing the freed slaves in society, on an equal basis with white Americans, anywhere in the United States. Robert Finley, principal founder of the colonization society, found much support among prominent men, notably Henry Clay.
Money was raised, with some indirect help from the federal government, when (1819) Congress appropriated $100,000 to return African blacks that were illegally brought to the United States. In 1821, an agent, Eli Ayers, and Lt. R.F. Stockton of the U.S. Navy, purchased land in Africa, where, subsequently, Jehudi Ashmun, and Ralph R. Gurley laid the foundations of Liberia. More than 11,000 blacks were transported to Liberia before 1860.
From 1865, until its dissolution in 1912, the society was a sort of trustee for Liberia.
Beginning in 1989, Liberia was plagued by years of civil unrest. In 1987, Charles Taylor, and his National Patriotic Party (NPP), won the elections. The years of civil turmoil have been very disruptive to Liberia’s growth, and the country was faced with the challenging task of rebuilding societal, and economic structures ravaged by the war.
After a 14 ½ years of civil war, Liberia held the presidential election in October 2005. Harvard-educated, Mrs. Ellen Johnson –Sirleaf, was elected Liberia’s 23rd president in a runoff election with Mr. George Weah, an international soccer star. The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which maintains a strong presence throughout the country with over 15,000 troops, completed a disarmament program for former combatants in late 2004, but the security situation is still volatile, and the process of rebuilding the social, and economic structure remains sluggish.
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LIBERIAN GEOGRAPHY AREA:
Total: 111,370 sq km Land: 96,320 sq km Water: 15,050 sq km LAND BOUNDRIES: Total: 1,586 km Border countries:
CLIMATE: Tropical; hot, humid; dry season with hot days, and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy rainy season with frequent heavy showers. Rainy Season: May to October Dry Season: November to April |
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TERRAIN
Mostly flat, with rolling coastal plains, rising to rolling plateaus, and low mountains in the northeast.
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
NATURAL RESOURCES
Iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower, rubber, coffee, cocoa, and cotton.
GEOGRAPHY-NOTE
Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture.
POPULATION: 3,482,211 (July 2005 est.)
AGE STRUCTURE (2005 est.)
1-14 years: 43.6% (male 765,662/female 751,134)
15-64 years: 52.8% (male 896,206/female 940,985)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 64,547/female 63,677)
LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH
Total pop: 38.89 years
Male: 37.03 yrs
Female: 40.81 yrs (2005 est.)
ETHNIC GROUPS
Indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpella, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende). Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves). Congo People 2.5% (Congo people from the Congo River Basin were captured for the slave trade, sent to Liberia when slavery was abolished, and were never exposed to Non-African cultures.)
RELIGIONS
Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
LANGUAGES
English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written, and are used in correspondence.
NATIONAL SYMBOLS
The Seal of Liberia (Coat of Arms):
Mostly flat, with rolling coastal plains, rising to rolling plateaus, and low mountains in the northeast.
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
NATURAL RESOURCES
Iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower, rubber, coffee, cocoa, and cotton.
GEOGRAPHY-NOTE
Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture.
POPULATION: 3,482,211 (July 2005 est.)
AGE STRUCTURE (2005 est.)
1-14 years: 43.6% (male 765,662/female 751,134)
15-64 years: 52.8% (male 896,206/female 940,985)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 64,547/female 63,677)
LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH
Total pop: 38.89 years
Male: 37.03 yrs
Female: 40.81 yrs (2005 est.)
ETHNIC GROUPS
Indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpella, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende). Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves). Congo People 2.5% (Congo people from the Congo River Basin were captured for the slave trade, sent to Liberia when slavery was abolished, and were never exposed to Non-African cultures.)
RELIGIONS
Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
LANGUAGES
English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written, and are used in correspondence.
NATIONAL SYMBOLS
The Seal of Liberia (Coat of Arms):
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The national seal consists of a palm tree representing the natural resources of Liberia, coat-of-arms_liberia a plow and spade which illustrate the means of developing those resources, a dove with a scroll, which represents communication, and living in peaceful coexistence with other nations, the emerging sun, which represents the birth of Liberia, a sailing ship representing arriving settlers, and the motto “The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here” which represents the wishes, dreams, and hopes of arriving settlers.
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Pepper bird: The Liberian national bird is the Pepper bird. It is called the Pepper bird because of its primary diet of wild peppers.
STAPLE FOODS Rice: Sold in 100 lbs bags or by the cup. Varieties include ‘Pusawah Rice’, and ‘White Rice’ served with most dishes. |
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Palm Butter: Spicy sauce made from palm cream. A favorite of Liberians! Some may include “snail” and “Kiss meat” in their preparation.
Cassava Leaf: Leafy sauce made with palm oil.
Palava Sauce: Slimy, but delicious sauce made also with palm oil. It is usually embellished with smoked fish, dried meat, chicken, pig feet.
Jollof Rice: Standard holiday dish made by combining tomato paste, rice, and a variety of meats.
Pepper Soup & Fufu: Tasty, and usually very hot, and very spicy soup made with a variety of meats and pepper.
It is served mostly to guests at the end of house parties. Fufu, may or may not be included. Fufu is a thick, gel-like dish made from ground cassava (yucca), or potatoes.
Potato Greens: Very tasty and leafy dish. It is made with vegetable, or palm oil.
Fish Gravy: Can’t go wrong with this simple dish.
It is served with rice, fried or boiled fish, and a delicious gravy sauce.
Okra Sauce: Sauce made from okra served with rice.
Torborgee: Another favorite, but not for the faint hearted. Its taste is an acquired one. It is bitter, yet very tasty. It is made with variety of meats, and palm oil.
Cabbage: Sauce made from palm cabbages. Cabbage are cut into small pieces, and cooked with diced turkey or pork. It’s very healthy and delicious.
Collard Greens: Another healthy dish. It has a difficult, and delicate preparation (thick stems of greens are slowly diced by hand), but the wait is well worth it.
Kala: Donut-hole like snack made from fried dough.
Rice Bread: Served as a baked dessert, or snack. Made with banana, corn, and flour.
Plantain: A standard Liberian snack that is boiled, coated with palm oil, sliced, and fried.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
New Year’s Day
January 1
National Redemption Day
April 15th
Constitution
2nd Wednesday in March
Independence Day
July 26th (1847)
Decoration Day
2nd Wednesday in March
Flag Day
August 24th
J.J. Roberts Birthday
1st President of Liberia – March 15th
Thanksgiving Day
1st Thursday in November
Fast & Prayer Day
2nd Friday in April
W.V.S. Tbuman Birthday
November 29th
National Unification Day
April 14th
Christmas Day
December 25th
Cassava Leaf: Leafy sauce made with palm oil.
Palava Sauce: Slimy, but delicious sauce made also with palm oil. It is usually embellished with smoked fish, dried meat, chicken, pig feet.
Jollof Rice: Standard holiday dish made by combining tomato paste, rice, and a variety of meats.
Pepper Soup & Fufu: Tasty, and usually very hot, and very spicy soup made with a variety of meats and pepper.
It is served mostly to guests at the end of house parties. Fufu, may or may not be included. Fufu is a thick, gel-like dish made from ground cassava (yucca), or potatoes.
Potato Greens: Very tasty and leafy dish. It is made with vegetable, or palm oil.
Fish Gravy: Can’t go wrong with this simple dish.
It is served with rice, fried or boiled fish, and a delicious gravy sauce.
Okra Sauce: Sauce made from okra served with rice.
Torborgee: Another favorite, but not for the faint hearted. Its taste is an acquired one. It is bitter, yet very tasty. It is made with variety of meats, and palm oil.
Cabbage: Sauce made from palm cabbages. Cabbage are cut into small pieces, and cooked with diced turkey or pork. It’s very healthy and delicious.
Collard Greens: Another healthy dish. It has a difficult, and delicate preparation (thick stems of greens are slowly diced by hand), but the wait is well worth it.
Kala: Donut-hole like snack made from fried dough.
Rice Bread: Served as a baked dessert, or snack. Made with banana, corn, and flour.
Plantain: A standard Liberian snack that is boiled, coated with palm oil, sliced, and fried.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
New Year’s Day
January 1
National Redemption Day
April 15th
Constitution
2nd Wednesday in March
Independence Day
July 26th (1847)
Decoration Day
2nd Wednesday in March
Flag Day
August 24th
J.J. Roberts Birthday
1st President of Liberia – March 15th
Thanksgiving Day
1st Thursday in November
Fast & Prayer Day
2nd Friday in April
W.V.S. Tbuman Birthday
November 29th
National Unification Day
April 14th
Christmas Day
December 25th
