Liberia and Its Music

Liberia, West Africa
Liberia, a small country on the coast of West Africa, was established as a colony in 1822 by freed American slaves. In 1847, Liberia became the first African nation to gain independence. The Americo Liberians set up a democratic government modeled after that of the United States. They also brought Christianity with them. Prior to the arrival of these freed slaves, Liberia had already been home to a number of ethnic groups, including Gola, Vai, Kpelle, Krahn, Mandingo, Bassa, and others. These people, spoke different languages, and had their own systems of government and religion. More recently, Islam has also taken hold among many of Liberia’s communities. There have always been distinctions made between Americo Liberians and the indigenous people, (called "natives" by Americo Liberians) which caused resentments on both sides. From Liberia's founding until 1980, Americo Liberians were the elite ruling class.

Liberia has seen civilian and military regimes, at first by civilian Americo Liberian lead governments, and later by military leaders from various ethnic groups. In the continuing struggle for political power, Liberia has been involved in a destructive civil war which began in 1989, one which has pitted members of one ethnic group against another. Although the war is officially over, and Liberia has an elected president, intermittent fighting and clashes continue to erupt among the various factions. Many Liberians have fled to other African countries, to Europe, and to the United States. In America, the largest community of Liberian refugees are in Providence, Rhode Island, and in New York City. Other urban areas, like Philadelphia, have also become home to a growing Liberian community.

Music in Liberia
A variety of musical genres exist within the many cultures of West Africa. People play many different musical instruments -- drums, cowbells, shakers, string or wind instruments. This recording focuses on four basic musical genres found in Liberia -- traditional music, Liberian songs, Christian songs, and popular Highlife music. This music can be categorized as either traditional or a blend of traditional and Western. Within these different genres are common West African musical elements such as call and response between the lead singer and chorus; polyrhythmic percussion and vocals; ululation (a vocal trill); and vocal and instrumental repetition.

Performances of traditional music, which uses the specific instruments, rhythms, melodies, and dances of a particular ethnic group, take place within various social contexts. Some may occur publicly at large community celebrations and events, such as weddings, naming ceremonies, or royal processions. Other performances may take place within private contexts, such as lullabies sung at home, children's play songs, or work songs.

Christian music was originally introduced by Americans who came as missionaries to Liberia. Each ethnic group then adapted the music, changing it slightly to fit their own musical systems. Liberians have created their own Christian songs which they sing in their native languages. They combine Western choral singing, and its emphasis on harmonies, with the West African call and response. Many of these indigenous churches also incorporate traditional percussion instruments, rhythmic patterns, and dance.

"Highlife," one of the many popular musics in West Africa, emerged in the late 1950's. It combines Western and African instruments, Latin American dance rhythms, and traditional West African melodies and lyrics to create a unique new sound. Although there is some dispute as to its exact origins, most people agree that Highlife music originated from the use of traditional songs of West African coastal peoples of Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia (particularly the Kru). Although a number of musicians have written and recorded Highlife songs, E.T. Mensah, a guitarist from Ghana, developed and popularized the Highlife sound in West Africa in the late 1950s.