Which occupations are favored by the Kpelle people?
The Kpelle are primarily farmers. Rice is their staple crop and is supplemented by cassava, vegetables, and fruits; cash crops include rice, peanuts (groundnuts), sugarcane, and kola nuts. The Kpelle practice slash-and-burn agriculture.
What language do the Kpelle people speak?
Mande language
The Kpelle people (also known as the Guerze, Kpwesi, Kpessi, Sprd, Mpessi, Berlu, Gbelle, Bere, Gizima, or Buni) are the largest ethnic group in Liberia. They are located primarily in an area of central Liberia extending into Guinea. They speak the Kpelle language, which belongs to the Mande language family.
What is the Kpelle culture?
The Kpelle are the largest ethnic group in the West African nation of Liberia and a significant group in neighboring Guinea. Whereas the Kpelle of Guinea (called “French Kpelle” by Liberians) are poorly described, the Liberian Kpelle have been more thoroughly studied.
Where did the Kpelle came from?
The Kpelle are the largest ethnic group in Liberia compared to the Bassa who are second and the Mano (Mahn) are third. They are found in the central highland plateau of Liberia called Bong County.
What does Kpelle mean?
Definition of Kpelle 1a : a people of central Liberia. b : a member of the Kpelle people. 2 : a Mande language of the Kpelle people.
What ethnicity is Liberian?
Liberia’s indigenous ethnic groups may be classified into three linguistic groups, all belonging to the Niger-Congo language family: the Mande, Kwa, and Mel (southern Atlantic). The Mande are located in the northwest and central regions of Liberia and also in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
What is the largest tribe in Liberia?
The Kpelle
The Kpelle in central and western Liberia is the largest ethnic group. Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of free-born and formerly enslaved African Americans that arrived in Liberia from 1822 onward, make up an estimated 5% of the population.
What is the meaning of Kpelle?
What is special about Liberia?
Liberia is the only Black state in Africa never subjected to colonial rule and is Africa’s oldest republic. It was established on land acquired for freed U.S. slaves by the American Colonization Society, which founded a colony at Cape Mesurado in 1821.
What race is Liberian?
The people of Liberia are classified into three major groups: the indigenous people, who are in the majority and who migrated from the western Sudan in the late Middle Ages; Black immigrants from the United States (known historically as Americo-Liberians) and the West Indies; and other Black immigrants from …
Which tribe is the largest in Liberia?
Ethnic groups The Kpelle in central and western Liberia is the largest ethnic group. Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of free-born and formerly enslaved African Americans that arrived in Liberia from 1822 onward, make up an estimated 5% of the population.
What are 3 interesting facts about Liberia?
Interesting facts about Liberia
- ‘Liberia’ is actually Latin and translates to ‘Land of the Free’.
- The flag of Liberia is similar to that of the United States.
- Liberia is a heaven for surfers.
- Liberia is the first country in Africa which had a female president.
Is Liberia a nice country?
OVERALL RISK : HIGH. Liberia, in general, isn’t the safest place to visit, as it has high rates of both petty and violent crime. There have been reports of many thefts and robberies so remain vigilant at all times.
Why is Liberia so unique?
Do Liberians like America?
Liberia considers itself the 51st state of the union. Liberians have in many ways looked to the United States as their primary external partner and friend over many, many years. They are very close to us in cultural terms. There are many Liberian-Americans in the United States.