The Unwritten History of Liberia

2. The Unwritten History of Liberia

Crafts from Liberia

Liberia is known for the decorative masks and many other crafts.  Some of the crafts would be masks, small sculptures and other wooden carvings.  Many of the sculptures are created to honor past love ones or ancestors of the tribe.  Liberia is also known for the many types of artwork that can still be found in Liberia and many other areas around the world today.[1]

Liberian Ceremonial Spoon

In the Dan tribe carvers would carve  out large ceremonial ladles to honor a highly decorated woman in the tribe.  The woman could be an honoree because of her cooking skills, love, and generosity toward others in the tribe. At special ceremonies, the honoree would dance with this distinguished  symbol of honor." An elderly honoree would pass the ladle and the honor onto the one she saw fit to succeed her in the village".[2]

Masks of Liberia

The Dan Mask

Many villages in Liberia feel that mask are an important part in their life.  One of the groups of people in Liberia that find the mask important is the Gio People. The Gio People live in the Northern part of Liberia.  During special festivities and celebration some of the Gio People will wear these mask.[3]

Flag of Liberia

The Liberian flag is a red, white, and blue flag that looks very close to the flag  of the United States of America. The Liberian flag contains one star and eleven red and white stripes. The Liberian flag is the only flag in that I have found that looks similar to the flag of the United States of America.  Many people may say that the flag is similar to the US flag because former slaves help establish the nation of Liberia.[4]

1.“Crafts” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Liberia#Crafts

2. “Ceremonial Spoon” http://www.africanartssf.com/tribal-art/furniture-utilitarian/ceremonial-spoon-dan-tribe-liberia1/

3. “The Dan Mask” http://worldartswest.org/main/discipline.asp?i=8

4. “Flag of Liberia” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Liberia