Culture and Customs of Liberia

(Hardback)

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Liberia has a strong connection to the United States in that it was founded by former slaves in 1822. Although Liberia had existed as an independent African nation and a symbol of hope to the African peoples under the rule of various colonial powers, its recent history has been bedeviled by a prolonged upheaval following a military coup d'etat in 1980. In this context, the narrative highlights the distinctiveness of Liberians in their negotiation of traditional indigenous and modern practices, and the changes wrought by Christianity and Western influences.

Reviews

The author presents an overview of life in Liberia from pre-colonial days to the present, encompassing all of the various diverse groups in the country. The task is a difficult one, but Professor Olukoju, who teaches history at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, has made a noble attempt. He has reviewed much of the basic literature, drawing upon the research that exists for the country and in particular using the many articles which have appeared in the Liberian Studies Journal since its inception in 1968. He is to be congratulated for the overview he has given. * African Affairs *
Americo-Liberians and the descendants of liberated slaves make up a minority within this complex culture, but they played a disproportionately large role in defining Liberian fashion, cuisine, religious practice, marriage customs, and attitudes toward literacy. Indigenous culture is also important to Liberia, and the result is rich and complex. In addition, political upheaval has caused a significant amount of migration, so diverse subcultures have intermingled in the relative safety of the nation's cities and refugee camps both inside and outside Liberian borders. Olukojo provides an accessible resource for the general reader, concentrating on the region's religions, literature, media, art, architecture, cuisine, traditional dress, gender roles, marriage, family, social customs, lifestyle, music and dance, tracing the influence of both the American and the traditional. The illustrations are well-chosen and include period photographs and pictures of current daily life. * Reference & Research Book News/Art Book News Annual *

Author Bio

AYODEJI OLUKOJU is Professor of History at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He is author of The Liverpool of West Africa: The Dynamics and Impact of Maritime Trade in Lagos, 1900-1950.