Liberia's First Contacts

Liberia's First Contacts

Initial Contacts with Liberia

In 520 B.C. Hanno the Cartaginian was believed to have land on the Western coast of Africa.  Some say that Hanno make some trades with the people who lived in western Africa.  The contact may have been limited, but it can still be noted as initial contact with West Africans.[1]

More contacts with West African began to pick up in the 14th century.  The Portuguese love to visit the Liberian coastline and make trades with the coastal tribes.  The Portuguese made constant visits to the Liberians to get gold, pepper, ivory and camwood.  Camwood was a item that many would not see as an important item but at this time the Portuguese saw it as a valuable resource.[2]

Camwood

"Camwood is one of the products that Europeans traded from Liberia. Camwood which is also known as sandalwood, is a shrubby, leguminous., hard-wooded tree from central west Africa. This wood is a very fine color and is used in woodturning for making knife handles and similar articles."[3]

Picture Source: https://africa.tradeholding.com

[1] Fred van der Kraaij, The Grain Coast, Malaguetta Coast or Pepper Coast before 1822. date retrieved: August 5, 2016, http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/Peppercoastbefore1822.htm

[2] Fred van der Kraaij, The Grain Coast, Malaguetta Coast or Pepper Coast before 1822. date retrieved: August 5, 2016, http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/Peppercoastbefore1822.htm

[3] “Camwood” date retrieved: August 5, 2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baphia_nitida