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During the 1800's, many African American slaves were repatriated to a land renamed Liberia.  Since ancient times, many different indigenous populations also had moved to this land.  Overcoming many obstacles including malaria, yellow fever or conflicts with the native populations, the settlers from the United States recreated American society (Duva).

In 1847 the Republic of Liberia declared independence from the United States, and became a model for other colonies as the only free African republic.  However, the gap between the ruling elites and the indigenous populations widened over time.  This disparity increased the frustration of the poor majority (Duva).
 

 
In 1980, the military, led by Samuel K. Doe, took control after murdering the president.  Doe ruled the country until the Civil War, which lasted eight years, broke out in 1989.  This war started when a group of rebels trained in the Ivory Coast reentered Liberia.  As a result, 200,000 people were killed and 800,000 people were displaced from their homes.  A transitional government currently governs the country and the official elections are due in October 2005.  The situation is Liberia still remain precarious and many refugees move back and forth between their home and the refugee camps in the neighboring countries (Duva).

Liberian economy is heavily based on agriculture.  The primary agricultural products include:  rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas, sheep, goats and timber (CIA).

Cooking is done outdoors on the stone hearth.  Liberia's staple food is rice and it is eaten twice a day in most households.  Cassava, tiny hot red peppers, sweet potatoes, yams and plantains are staples in Liberia (Sandler).

English is the official language in Liberia.  However, about 20 ethnic group languages are also spoken among the Liberian people in which few of those have a written form (CIA).

Forty percent of the Liberian population is Christian of various denominations.  Twenty person of them are Muslim and the remaining 40 person hold indigenous beliefs (CIA).

Liberian culture highly values the respect for elders.  Respect needs to be shown not only toward parents but also toward any elders with whom they come into contact.  Young people show respect to their elders through curtsies and bows.  It is considered impolite for young people to look elders in their eyes while communicating (Dunn-Marcos, Kollehlon, Ngovo & Russ). 

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