This post discusses the cultural heritage of Liberia from the culture of the people to the heritage sites that can be found therein.

The culture of Liberia reflects this nation’s diverse ethnicities and long history. Liberia is located in West Africa on the Atlantic Coast.

LANGUAGES

The official language of Liberia is English. There are also more than 16 indigenous languages. Among the most widely studied Liberian languages in schools and universities are Kpelle and Bassa languages and to a lesser extent, Vai. Loma and Mende also have their own unique alphabets but are studied less.

Read: POLITICAL HISTORY OF LIBERIA

Both languages are noted for their unique alphabets and phonetics that are not based on the Latin alphabet, or any European language but emerged from visions of each language’s inventor. Bassa alphabet was popularized by Dr. Thomas Narvin Lewis in the early 20th century, after attending studies in the U.S at Syracuse University. He modeled it after he came into contact with former slaves of Bassa origin in Brazil and the West Indies who were still using the alphabet. Vai is another well-known ancient script from Liberia, but distinct from the Bassa alphabet.

RELIGION

According To the 2008 National Census, 85.5% of Liberia’s population practices Christianity. Muslims comprise 12.2% of the population, largely coming from the Mandingo and Vai ethnic groups.

THE ARTS

Music

Liberia has its own ancient music and instruments. While Liberian music is part of wider West African music heritage, it is also distinct from its neighbors. There are several different types of drums used in traditional music. Drums are one of the most widely used instruments in many ceremonies both official and nonofficial, weddings, christenings, naming ceremonies, holidays, graduations, etc. Next to drums, beaded gourd rattles called Saasaa are also used in mainstream music by many Liberian singers, musicians, and ensembles across the country.

Songs are sung in both English and all indigenous languages. Other instruments similar to the xylophone include Yomo Gor. Music is a main highlight of Liberian culture not only used as entertainment but to educate society on issues ranging from culture, politics, history to human rights.

CRAFTS

Liberia is renowned for its detailed decorative and ornate masks, large and miniature wood carvings of realistic human faces, famous people, scenes of everyday life and accessories particularly combs, spoons and forks which are often enlarged sculptures. Sculptures are produced in both the countryside and cities. Liberian wood curved sculptures are heavily influenced by ancient history predating modern Liberia, folklore, proverbs, spirituality, rural life and show the artist’s strong observations for grand detail and their connections to the people and objects sculpted. Liberian artists both in the country and diaspora have also gained recognition for various styles of paintings in abstract, perspective and graphic art.

Due to its strong relationship with the United States, Liberia has also produced its own American-influenced quilts. The free and former US slaves who emigrated to Liberia brought with them their sewing and quilting skills and was originally done by Americo-Liberians beginning in the 19th century. Queen Victoria invited Martha Ann Ricks, on behalf of Liberian Ambassador Edward Wilmot Blyden, to Windsor Castle on 16 July 1892.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Liberian locals are lively and love to share their diverse cultural heritage and rich traditions with guests. For a generous encounter with Liberian cuisine, perhaps join a traditional cooking class and learn how to make the famous palm butter soup or head into the countryside to visit a village and really get to grips with the local customs.

MONUMENTS IN LIBERIA

Providence Island

You must learn and discover the history of Liberia on Providence Island, a small landmass best known as the place where liberated American slaves arrived after returning to Africa. The first group landed on this in 1822 and went on to form the ethnic group Americo-Liberians. Take a walk around the island, and don’t miss its landmark, a tree made from weapons that symbolize the end of Liberia’s civil wars.

The country’s history will remain incomplete if the name of this memorable island is not mentioned as the place where freed slaves from America first lived upon migration from the United States to Liberia. If you have good luck, you can see this heritage monument in Liberia with the traditional music of each one of the 16 communities of Liberia, the performance of the cultural group in the amphitheater. There are many trips planner (website) makes visiting Providence Island and other Monrovia attractions simple, and helps you make a travel plan personal to you.

Centennial Pavilion

The hall was built in 1947, to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the country’s independence, and is situated on the inauguration spot for Liberia’s presidents This monument is a landmark in Liberian national life. It is the place where the Presidents of the country are sworn in and it houses in its underground many monuments and statues. This is where William V.S. Tubman who ruled Liberia for 27 years is buried. The building was well kept. The staff here are very knowledgeable and also will provide a solo tour, the area was clean with beautiful red carpet and historical statues. The interior of this famous monument in Liberia is set up with national colors of blue red and white all around and photos of all of Liberia’s past presidents. Outside there are monuments and memorials as well as the automobiles used by past presidents – you can sit in Charles Taylor’s bulletproof SUV – the doors are extremely heavy. This is a very good place for launching music, weddings, and diplomatic meetings.

Wulki Farms

Situated in Careys burg, Wulki Farms is an agricultural venture that was established in November 1998. Wulki Farms is the largest livestock and vegetable farm in Liberia and is involved in the agricultural areas. Currently, for commercial purposes, Wulki Farms is the only producer of table eggs in Liberia. The housing capacity of this beautiful monument in Liberia is for 30,000 layers. They have in stock 2500 layers that are at the end of their laying period and are ready for sale plus 7000 layers that have begun producing eggs on a commercial level. Just beyond Careys burg is the quirky Wulki Farm, owned by a former minister in Charles Taylor’s cabinet, where you can ride horses, go swimming or visit the little zoo for a glimpse of ostriches, crocodiles and the rabbit. There are several pricey and forgettable restaurants on-site serving European-esque food.

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Sacred Heart Cathedral represents one of the most important and largest Catholic churches in the capital. The site is the headquarters of the Monrovian Archdiocese and has been since 1981. Hundreds of locals, worshipers, and tourists come to attend the mass in Latin or visit to view and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. Belonging to the Catholic Church, the Cathedral of Monrovia or Sacred Heart Cathedral is a religious building that is located across Broad Street in the heart of the city of Monrovia, capital of the African country of Liberia. This religious monument in Liberia serves as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Monrovia (Archidioecesis Monroviensis) that was created on December 19, 1981, by Pope John Paul II by the bull Patet Ecclesiae.

Ducor Hotel

Sabanero Statue

Right amidst the road, stands steely-looked at a statue called Sabanero, finished with an expressive lyric, composed by Rodolfo Salazar Solorzano. On the bicentennial of the founding of the city, the regional icon was erected in 1969. It has turned into a noticeable point of interest of the city. Visitors come to visit this most popular monument in Liberia with their friends and family members. You can visit, explore and experience this place.