Info For Yous Kpelle (Guerze) People: Liberia`S Largest Tribe As Well As A Hardworking As Well As Real Humble Mende People
"If y'all build a town as well as there’s no
drummer, it’s non a town. If y'all build
a town as well as there’s no dancer, then
it’s non a town."—Kpelle proverb, Liberia
Kpelle girl, Kpaiyea.Liberia 1968
The Kpelle people too known every bit the Guerze, Kpwesi, Kpessi, Gerse, Mpessi, Berlu, Gbelle, Bere, Gbalin, Gizima, or Bun are a difficult working as well as really humble Mande-speaking people of larger Niger Congo household unit of measurement living inwards the West African countries of Republic of Liberia as well as Guinea. The Kpelle are patrilineal grouping of some rice cultivators who alive inwards Central Republic of Liberia where at that topographic point are the largest ethnic grouping as well as too inwards the adjoining Southern regions of Republic of Guinea where they are known every bit Guerze as well as shape a really of import ethnic group. The word Kpelle is often used every bit an describing word to refer to someone every bit difficult working as well as really humble people inwards Republic of Liberia as well as Guinea. Because of their difficult work, they are major nutrient suppliers of the uppercase cities. There are over 1 ane 1000 k Kpelle people inwards Republic of Liberia as well as nearly 600,000 Kpelle people inwards Guinea
Kpelle are often noted inwards the anthropological literature for their hush-hush Poro as well as Sande societies, religious-political organizations which initiate almost every man child as well as fille respectively into their membership. In recent time, Kpelle people who are the Liberia`s most rural as well as conservative people came to international spotlight afterward African-American TV celebrity Oprah Winfrey traced her ancestry to the Kpelle when she has e'er held a sentiment that she is a Zulu from South Africa.
Kpelle tribe: immature adult woman weaving a handbag from raphia palm fiber inwards village. Courtesy:Tyler_Hergert
Location
The terrain inwards the expanse includes swamps, hills and, inwards lowland areas, rivers. May through Oct brings their rainy flavour with an annual rainfall from 180 to 300 centimeters. The Kpelle territory sees the lowest temperatures dropping to xix degrees C with the average temp around 36 grade C.
The Kpelle interact most oft with the neighboring Mende, Loma, Mano, as well as Bassa. They portion the Poro complex of hush-hush ritual societies with all of these peoples except the Bassa; initiates may fifty-fifty attend for certain hush-hush rituals inwards these other ethnic areas. The Kpelle too merchandise with the Muslim Vai as well as Mandingo, who oft alive with them inwards little numbers, every bit do some Lebanese merchants as well as U.S. missionaries as well as Peace Corps volunteers. An Episcopal-controlled four-year college is located inwards the middle of Kpelleland. The huge Firestone condom plantation has been evacuated as well as left untended owing to the Liberian civil conflict that began inwards Dec 1989.
Kpelle tribe human being as well as onetime armed services president of Republic of Guinea Moïse Dadis Camara waving to his supporters. He is an ex-officer of the Guinean regular army who served every bit the President of the Republic of Guinea's National Council for Democracy as well as Development (Conseil National de la Démocratie et du Développement, CNDD), which seized powerfulness inwards a armed services putsch on 23 Dec 2008 afterward the decease of long-time President as well as dictator Lansana Conté. He has been out of business office since the assassination endeavor on him on 3 Dec 2009.
Settlements
The traditional Kpelle solid is a circular one-room, wattle-and-daub hut with a conical thatched roof; however, this type, although found everywhere, nowadays predominates only inwards relatively remote, unacculturated villages. More mutual is the foursquare solid with iii rooms as well as an opened upwards porch, or a rectangular solid with ii rooms as well as a really broad opened upwards porch. Zinc roofs are gradually replacing thatch, especially where cash occupation is common.
Kpelle villages mostly accommodate betwixt 50 as well as 600 persons living inwards 10 to 150 huts; these numbers may live considerably higher if the hamlet is an of import ane or is located on a motor road. Villages are often surrounded yesteryear considerably smaller farm hamlets; inwards addition, some families or fifty-fifty individuals alive alone, away from a hamlet or hamlet. Larger villages, called “towns” yesteryear the Kpelle, are divided into “quarters,” named subunits with their ain quarter-chiefs. Farms are located away from villages, sometimes at a considerable distance. Villages are mostly several kilometers apart, with farm hamlets, if any, dispersed around each hamlet as well as uninhabited bush betwixt each village-hamlet cluster. Many Kpelle today alive every bit refugees inwards Republic of Guinea as well as Monrovia because of the civil war.
Kpelle women harvesting rice: jangoux
Language
The Kpelle people speak a linguistic communication known every bit Kpelle. The Kpelle language is component of the Mande household unit of measurement of languages of the larger Niger-Congo phylum. Guinean Kpelle (known every bit Guerze inwards French), spoken yesteryear one-half a ane 1000 k people, concentrated primarily, but non exclusively, inwards the wood regions of Guinea, whose capital, Nzérékoré, is the tertiary largest urban center inwards Republic of Guinea as well as the largest urban center inwards the Guinée Forestière part of south-eastern Republic of Guinea bordering Liberia, Ivory Coast, as well as Sierra Leone. Liberian Kpelle, spoken yesteryear one-half of the population, is currently taught inwards schools inwards Liberia.
Sample
The Lord's Prayer inwards Kpelle:
Kunâŋ gáa ŋele sui,
Tɔɔ ku iláai siɣe a maa waa.
Tɔɔ Ikâloŋ-laai é pá,
Tɔɔ ínîa-mɛni é kέ,
Nɔii ma ɓɛ yɛ̂ɛ berei gáa la Ɣâla-taai.
I kukɔ sâa a kuɣele-kuu tɔnɔ-tɔnɔ mii-sɛŋ;
I ipôlu fe kutɔ̂ŋ-karaa-ŋai dîa,
Yɛ̂ɛ berei kwa kupôlu fè la kuɓarâai ditɔ̂ŋ-karaa-ŋai dîai;
Tɔɔ kutúɛ kufe pili yee-laa-maa su,
Kέlɛ, i kukúla mɛni nyɔ́mɔɔ su.
Origin/History
The Kpelle-speaking people migrated from the savannah expanse of the western Sudan (Mali) during the intermission upwards of Songhai empire to what is forthwith Republic of Liberia soon earlier the halt of the 16th century, displacing the indigenous Kwa-speaking people. The Kpelle people get-go fled to North Western Africa to what is forthwith known every bit Islamic Republic of Mauritania as a termination of internal conflicts betwixt the tribes from the crumbling Sudanic empire. Some migrated to Republic of Liberia yet maintained their traditional as well as cultural heritage.A handful are inwards Islamic Republic of Mauritania of westward Africa as well as which makes upwards most of the Mauritanian people. Kpelle are too soundless located inwards western Sudan which is Republic of Mali where which a lot are mixed with the kunta bedouins arabs as well as soundless maintaining the Bedouin arab heritage. In Republic of Liberia the Kpelle formed an empire nether the leadership of King Kumba.
The independent terra firma of Republic of Liberia was founded inwards 1822 yesteryear freed slaves from the U.S.A. who went to West Africa every bit component of Marcus Garvey’s “Back to Africa” movement. African Americans were the driving forcefulness behind most Liberian institutions for to a greater extent than than 150 years. When Harvey S.Fireston released terra firma for planting condom at Harbel, Liberia, inwards the 1920s, he created a demand for tappers as well as led to the get-go of several Kpelle project migrations. There was yet some other moving ridge of Kpelle project migration inwards the 1960s because of the opening of large Fe mines inwards the western component of the country. Urban migration accelerated inwards the 1970s, leading to the establishment of large Kpelle-speaking communities,especially inwards Monrovia,the uppercase city.
DNA tested! Oprah Winfrey has Kpelle tribe ancestry.
African-American political ascendancy inwards Republic of Liberia contributed to the formation of political,economic,cultural,
as well as armed services ties to the United States. The Liberian constitution, justice system, as well as legislative bodies are based on their U.S.A. counterparts. Because of the political as well as economical stability of the country, many U.S.A. companies opened branches inwards Liberia. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 coup d’état inwards the belatedly 1980s brought the get-go native Africans to power. Until then, powerfulness had been held yesteryear the descendants of the freed American slaves. Now that the political strife from several civil wars has cometo an end, Liberians have got started to rebuild their infrastructure
Economy
Subsistence. Dry swidden rice is the Kpelle staple as well as the focus of Kpelle life. The Kpelle conceptualize the word “work” to hateful “rice cultivation.” One crop a twelvemonth is harvested inwards an annual slash-and-burn cycle; terra firma is mostly used ane time as well as and then left fallow for at to the lowest degree 7 years. During the dry out season, the, tropical pelting wood 'is cleared yesteryear the as well as sometimes women, using cutlasses (Gbeya). (The terra firma is communally owned, as well as to farm it must live given yesteryear the clan chief.) Often a piece of work co-operative (kwa-sli-ku) volition clear the bush spell several Instrumentalists accompany them inwards their piece of work After the bush is dried, it is burned, leaving tree stumps as well as large fallen logs which preclude soil erosion. The women works life the rice, often inwards co-operatives (kwa-sli-kuu). They accompany planting every bit good every bit harvest with appropriate piece of work songs.
Cassava (manioc) is the second-most of import staple crop. The Kpelle too grow a multifariousness of other foodstuffs, including yams, potatoes, plantains, greens, peanuts, eggplants, okra, tomatoes, sesame seeds, peppers, onions, oranges, grapefruits, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, as well as papayas. Hunting as well as trapping contribute occasional meat to the diet, although line-fishing contributes a larger proportion of poly peptide source. Gathering is far to a greater extent than important, providing palm wine, palm nuts (for palm oil), kola nuts, as well as many wild fruits, fungi, vegetables, herbs, roots, as well as greens.
Commercial. Cash cropping of sugarcane, rubber, cacao, as well as java did non get until the 1960s. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 decreasing few Kpelle spin as well as weave native cotton fiber into homespun cloth, as well as a few fairly affluent men distill sugarcane juice into rum, but most Kpelle acquire cash through wage project on condom farms as well as inwards Fe mines. Most Kpelle have got no domestic animals; those who do hold goats, sheep, as well as chickens slaughter them only for religious sacrifice or to honour a high-status visitor. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few wealthy families have got some cattle or a few pigs
Sexual partitioning of production
“The Kpelle partitioning of project is determined primarily yesteryear gender. Men clear the bush, as well as women plant. Men hunt as well as occasionally fish as well as gather palm wine, palm nuts, as well as kola nuts. Women do most of the line-fishing as well as gathering. Women weave nets as well as most baskets, whereas men plait mats, brand furniture, weave some types of mat, and, where it is soundless practiced, weave homespun cloth. Although all Kpelle are farmers, some farther partitioning results from noesis of politics as well as “medicine” (or “traditional mysticism”). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 chief, for example, may live somewhat ameliorate off than others.” (Erchak)
Kpelle people
Land tenure
“Because population density is low, at that topographic point is petty terra firma pressure level inwards most of Kpelleland. The get-go human being to settle inwards a previously uninhabited expanse is called the “owner of the land,” a championship with ritual every bit good every bit secular significance. He, or if deceased, his descendant, allots terra firma to those who ask, as well as permission is rarely refused.” (Erchak) since the society is patrilineal the caput of the clan holds the terra firma inwards trust for his clan
members.
Kpelle boys Liberia, source:jangoux
Marriage as well as Family
Marriage. Although monogamy has acquire to a greater extent than mutual inwards the belatedly twentieth century, polygyny remains the preferred marital type. Anthropologist James Gibbs (1965) describes vi types of union recognized yesteryear the Kpelle, ranging from the most prestigious (full bride-price paid outright with patrilocal residence) to casual liaisons. The Kpelle prefer spousal human relationship with bride-price, although bride-service is acceptable every bit well. Patrilocal postmarital residence is preferred, but neolocality associated with bride-service is quite mutual for really immature couples. At to the lowest degree 20 pct of Kpelle marriages halt inwards divorce, which tin give notice live quite complex as well as protracted. Grounds include infertility as well as adultery for husbands, as well as physical abuse as well as nonsupport for wives. Divorce negotiations involve property, especially when substantial bride-price is involved.
Domestic Unit
The polygynous family, with each married adult woman as well as her children having their ain hut, is the ideal form, but it is quite rare. It is to a greater extent than probable that all members of a polygynous household unit of measurement alive inwards the same house, with each married adult woman having her ain room. Often ane married adult woman volition alive elsewhere, fifty-fifty several kilometers away. Monogamous nuclear as well as extended families are on the increase.
Inheritance
A man's authority, property, as well as younger wives are inherited either yesteryear his oldest surviving blood brother or his oldest son. Obligations, debts, personality, as well as nutrient taboos, with other things, are inherited patrilineally.
Women of Kpelle tribe socializing within hut, immature ane at right weaving mat, adult woman at left carrying infant strapped on her back, Liberia, West Africa. Source:jangoux
Socialization
Until historic menses 2, children are really much indulged; from historic menses 2 to 6, they are trained through threats as well as ridicule; afterward historic menses 6, corporal penalty is oft used. At all ages, curiosity is stifled as well as conception actively discouraged. Boys are circumcised when they are young. At some dot betwixt the ages of 7 as well as 20, boys are initiated inwards seclusion as well as en masse into the hush-hush men's society called Poro. While Poro schoolhouse used to in conclusion upwards to 4 years, nowadays it is mostly much shorter.
Physical initiation features scarification on the dorsum as well as often on the breast as well as tum every bit well. Also betwixt the ages of 7 as well as 20, girls are initiated into the women's Sande society, a physical care for that traditionally lasted upwards to iii years. Clitoridectomy as well as labiadectomy are key features of woman somebody initiation. For both sexes, initiation is carried out yesteryear masked figures.
Kpelle tribe: children carrying mud, helping inwards the construction of a wattle-and-daub house.
Social Organization
Although residence as well as many activities tend to live built on the patrilineages, associations are to a greater extent than of import inwards Kpelle social organization. The get-go is the kuu, which is an mention hoc cooperative piece of work grouping of kin, friends, as well as neighbors. The ii primary kuu types are those that are formed to clear the wood for a rice farm as well as those that are called together to build a house, but piece of work groups are too created for other purposes. Even to a greater extent than pregnant are the many hush-hush societies, especially the Poro (for men) as well as Sande (for women), which pervade many aspects of life. They component every bit religious, social, political, legal, as well as educational institutions. In addition, at that topographic point are numerous exclusive specialized societies devoted to diverse forms of magic (“medicine”)—for example, controlling snakes, lightning, or witches.
Political organization
Kpelle political organisation is centralized although at that topographic point is no unmarried manful somebody monarch or paramount chief,but a serial of chiefs of the same flat of authority, each of whom is super ordinate over district chiefs as well as town chiefs. Some political functions are too vested inwards the tribal fraternity, the Poro, which soundless functions vigorously. The shape of political organisation found inwards the expanse tin give notice thus best live termed the polycephalous associational state.
The construction of the Kpelle courtroom scheme parallels that of the political organization. In Republic of Liberia the highest courtroom of a tribal potency as well as the highest tribal courtroom chartered yesteryear the Government is that of a paramount chief. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 district chief’s courtroom is too an official court. Disputes may live settled inwards these official courts or inwards unofficial courts, such every bit those of town chiefs or quarter elders. In improver to this, grievances are settled informally inwards moots, as well as sometimes yesteryear associational groupings such every bit church building counsels or cooperative piece of work groups
Social Control. Beyond enculturation, conformity is achieved largely through social pressure, especially the fearfulness of beingness defendant of witchcraft. The Poro as well as Sande too hold their members inwards line, fifty-fifty trying as well as torturing individuals for serious violations of norms. In secular matters, most cases are adjudicated inwards informal hearings, often convened yesteryear the hamlet chief. Nowadays to a greater extent than serious cases move through the Liberian courts, although traditional ordeals are often employed.
Conflict. The Kpelle engaged inwards sporadic warfare until the belatedly 1930s. “War chief” was a traditionally recognized as well as prestigious office; it is forthwith defunct, although it may soundless have got ritual significance within the Poro
The Kpelle Moot (berei mu meni saa)
The Kpelle berei mu meni saa, or ‘house palaver,’ is an informal airing of a dispute which takes seat earlier an assembled grouping which includes kinsmen of the litigants as well as neighbors from the quarter where the instance is beingness heard. It is a completely mention hoc group, varying greatly inwards composition from instance to case.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Kpelle adult woman as well as her fille select turns pounding palm nuts inwards this 1966 photograph taken close Gbarnga, Liberia. courtesy: wandering-through-time-and-place.
The judicial scheme of the Kpelle is organized inwards ii ways: ane yesteryear a somebody who would desire to brand a complaint. Everyone involved as well as unopen relatives get together at a solid as well as an elderberry from the Poro (kpung holder) would mediate a give-and-take close it. The focus of the ceremony is to restore grouping harmony as well as the kpung holder performs many blessings throughout the meeting, ending the give-and-take acting that everyone delight deed with expert grace as well as unity. The halt termination usually is a grouping catharsis every bit everyone acquaint is able to speak their minds inwards turn. The mo part, the to a greater extent than official component is the courtroom system, which is headed yesteryear the hamlet principal as well as models the Liberian government. “The courtroom is especially effective inwards settling cases such every bit assault, possession of illegal charms, or theft where the litigants are non linked inwards a relationship
which must move on afterward the trial” as well as the courtroom is markedly coercive as well as abusive. (Podolefsky)
The Kpelle Moot Procedure:
The moot is most often held on a Sunday--a 24-hour interval of remainder for Christians as well as non Christians alike--at the domicile of the complainant, the somebody who calls the moot. The mediator volition have got been selected yesteryear the complainant. He is a kinsman who too holds an business office such every bit town principal or quarter elder, as well as thence has some science inwards dispute settlement. It is said that he is chosen to preside yesteryear virtue of his kin tie, rather than because of his office.
The proceedings get with the pronouncing of blessings yesteryear ane of the oldest men of the group. He pray to May yala (supreme deity) to bless them as well as to ensure peace. The human being who pronounces the blessings e'er carries a stick or a whisk [kpung] which hewaves for trial every bit he paces upwards as well as downward chanting his injunctions. Participation of spectators is demanded, for the blessings are chanted yesteryear the elderberry [kpung namu or ‘kpung owner’] every bit a serial of imperatives, some of which he repeats. Each phrase is responded to yesteryear the spectators who response inwards unison with a formal response, either e ka ti [so live it], or a low, drawn out eeee. The kpung nama delivers his blessings faster as well as faster, edifice upwards a rhythmic interaction pattern with the other participants. The trial is to unite those attending inwards mutual activity earlier the hearing begins. The approving focuses attending on the concern with maintaining harmony as well as the well-being of the grouping every bit a whole.
Everyone attending the moot wears their next-to-best clothe or, if it is non Sunday, everyday clothes. Elders, litigants, as well as spectators sit down inwards mixed fashion, pressed closely upon each other, often alluvion onto a veranda. This is inwards contrast to the vertical spatial separation betwixt litigants as well as adjudicators inwards the courtroom. The mediator, fifty-fifty though he is a chief, does non have on his robes. He as well as the oldest men volition live given chairs every bit they would on whatever other occasion.
The complainant speaks get-go as well as may live interrupted yesteryear the mediator or anyone else present. After he has been thoroughly quizzed, the defendant volition response as well as volition too live questioned yesteryear those present. The ii parties volition enquiry each other straight as well as enquiry others inwards the room also. Both the testimony as well as the questioning are lively as well as uninhibited. Where at that topographic point are witnesses to some of the actions described yesteryear the parties, they may too speak as well as live questioned. Although the proceedings are spirited, they rest orderly. The mediator may fine anyone who speaks out of plow yesteryear requiring them to convey some rum for the grouping to drink.
Talkshow mogul Oprah WinfreyOprah walking with Prof Louis Gate Jnr. Oprah was ane of the get-go celebrities to draw her family's roots for the groundbreaking PBS serial African American Lives. After taking a deoxyribonucleic acid evidence inwards 2006, Oprah discovered that her ancestry dates dorsum to the Kpelle, an African ethnic grouping that ane time lived inwards the terra firma nosotros forthwith telephone phone Liberia.
The mediator as well as others acquaint volition dot out the diverse faults committed yesteryear both parties. After everyone has been heard, the mediator expresses the consensus of the group. For example, inwards the Case of the Ousted Wife, he said to Yua: ‘The words y'all used towards your sis were non good, so come upwards as well as beg her pardon.’
The somebody held to live mainly at fault volition as well as then formally apologize to the other person. This apology takes the shape of the giving of token gifts to the wronged somebody yesteryear the guilty party. These may live an item of clothing, a few coins, laid upwards clean hulled rice, or a combination of all three. It is too customary for the winning political party inwards accepting the gifts or apology to give, inwards return, a smaller token such every bit a twenty-five cent slice to exhibit his ‘white heart’ or expert will. The losing political party is too lightly ‘fined’; he must acquaint rum or beer to the mediator as well as the others who heard the case. This is consumed yesteryear all inwards attendance. The old human being as well as then pronounces blessings over again as well as offers cheers for the restoration of harmony within the group, as well as asks that all move on to deed with expert grace as well as unity.
Kpelle tribe human being as well as onetime Guinean president Captain Moussa Dadis Camara
Religious belief
“Kpelle faith is rather inchoate, focused vaguely on God, the ancestors, as well as wood spirits as well as to a greater extent than sharply on the hush-hush medicine societies as well as the masked spirits who operate within those societies. The Kpelle recognize a High God or the supreme, creator deity "May yala." who created the world as well as and then retired. They believe May yala bless the household unit of measurement as well as brand them fruitful. He bless the children as well as the remainder of the household unit of measurement so they may e'er live salubrious as well as have got expert luck. The Kpelle are of belief that May yala bless them to relish life as well as too bless all those who engage inwards peaceful traditional moot mediation known every bit Kpelle berei mu meni saa, or ‘house palaver,’( is an informal airing of a dispute which takes seat earlier an assembled grouping which includes kinsmen of the litigants as well as neighbors from the quarter where the instance is beingness heard).
They believe inwards a multifariousness of lesser spirits or genii, including ancestors, personal totems, H2O spirits, as well as spirits inwards magically powerful masks. Witchcraft as well as sorcery figure prominently inwards the belief system.” “Medicine men, medicine women, as well as diviners of diverse types too often relish considerable prestige as well as influence, especially within the framework of the numerous hush-hush (or sacred) societies. The blacksmith, for example, is e'er a powerful medicine human being who is believed yesteryear many to live an of import ritual leader within the Poro society for men. Wealthy, influential men are called “outstanding men” or “big shots” as well as are really much admired as well as often envied.
Kpelle people
Passage rituals (birth, death, puberty, seasonal)
Poro as well as Sande Secret Societies Poro is a hush-hush society for men; Sande, a hush-hush society for women. Poro is responsible for initiating immature men into social manhood; Sande, for initiating immature women into social womanhood. These sodalities are hush-hush inwards the feel that members of each have got for certain noesis that tin give notice live revealed only to initiated members. Both sodalities are hierarchically organized. The higher a person’s condition within the sodality, the greater the hush-hush noesis revealed.
Poro as well as Sande are responsible for supervising as well as regulating the sexual, social, as well as political send of all members of the wider society. To send out this responsibility, high-status sodality members impersonate of import supernatural figures yesteryear donning masks as well as performing inwards public. One hush-hush kept from the uninitiated is that these masked figures are non the spirits themselves.
Membership is automatic on initiation, as well as all men as well as women are ordinarily initiated. …Each community has its ain local Poro as well as Sande congregations, as well as a somebody initiated inwards ane community is eligible to participate inwards the congregations of other communities. Initiates must pay a fee for initiation, as well as if they want to have advanced preparation as well as progress to higher levels within the sodality, they must pay additional fees. In whatever community where Poro as well as Sande are strong, potency inwards society is divided betwixt a sodality of mature women as well as ane of mature men. Together, they piece of work to hold society on the right path.
In its strictly sacred manifestations, the Poro is the agency of organizing relationships with the spirits that are the foundation of the Kpelle belief system. These spirits tin give notice live divided into 5 categories: (1) ancestral spirits, (2) genii, (3) miscellaneous bush as well as H2O spirits, (4)
spirits of the associations, as well as (5) specific Poro spirits.
All play a role inwards the pantheon of Kpelle beliefs. The get-go iii categories of spirits principle the unseen world of the otherwise unexplainable. Ancestral spirits explicate the life afterward decease enquiry acquaint inwards most cultures as well as supply a spiritual mirror to the kinship based human relationship patterns of daily life. The ancestors maintain a personal interest, as well as influence, on household unit of measurement as well as chiefdom life. They are protectors, as well as the Loi-Kalon [chief elder] as well as the Poro portion responsibilities for keeping them satisfied (ritually “fed”) as well as interested inwards the well-being of the chiefdom as well as its peoples.
The genii as well as the bush as well as H2O spirits are a grouping of specific nature spirits with the powerfulness to transfer specialized noesis or punishments. They thence often demand earthly specialists inwards dealing with them hence, the existence of specialized medicine men, fortune tellers, as well as communicators with the spirits. The spirits of the associations are to a greater extent than pervasive influences, since they manifest themselves through the hierarchy of specialized societies.
There are diverse specific associations that arise from fourth dimension to fourth dimension with detail interests as well as functions (e.g., ophidian society, leopard society) which manifest their powerfulness through specific spirits personified yesteryear varied masked figures. Most belike these specific associations are “arms” of or auxiliaries of the Poro as well as are ultimately controlled yesteryear the Poro
hierarchy. The spirits of the Poro society are the worldly representation of supernatural forces personifying the volition of “god” or the mysteries of life. These spirits are unlike from the others because they correspond non only the supernatural world, but the earthly manifestation of this power: the Poro. Chief with these spirits is the “bush devil” (daa-devil). He represents the ultimate communication of the powerfulness as well as volition of the spirits (god). The really highest flat of the Poro controls the worldly appearance of this figure inwards the shape of a masked “mummer.”
The Poro controls several masked figures that correspond spirits as well as perform a multifariousness of functions, but it is the “bush devil” who is the cumulative powerfulness of the spirits as well as the Poro as well as is every bit unopen to an earthly manifestation of “god” every bit exists inwards Kpelle religion. Harley (1950)
indicates the masks of this as well as the other figures incorporate the existent powerfulness of the religion, non the men of the Poro themselves. Regardless, it is the command of these spirits (through ceremony, medicine, as well as exclusive contact) for expert or sick that constitutes the hard-core handle on the society that is the sacred powerfulness of the Poro.
‘Although it is the sacred human face of life that gives the Poro its main argue for existence, it is the secular extension of the sacred functions, as well as the organisation of society to realize these, that touches most straight the political life of the Kpelle. The unopen human relationship betwixt the sacred as well as the secular presents the key to Poro influence on political decisions.
In relation to the Poro activities dealing with the supervision of political affairs within the Kpelle chiefdom, I seat the activities of the Poro inwards specifically political affairs inwards the next categories: (1) reinforcing the legitimacy of the polity, (2) performing some functions of internal police, (3) performing for certain judiciary functions, (4) playing a role in
diplomacy as well as communications, as well as (5) advising the secular authorities.
(1) Legitimacy. As a full general legitimizing force, it is clear that the Poro, having command of spiritual matters, tin give notice give acceptance to the political system.
…(2) Police functions. The Poro, or auxiliary associations connected with the Poro hierarchy inwards some specific instances, deed every bit enforcers of cultural norms. Poro agents, non agents of the Loi-Kalon or the elders, execute those who deviate seriously from social (civil every bit good every bit sacred) norms. Matters of a serious nature adjudicated yesteryear the Loi-Kalon, hamlet elders, or the Poro elders are enforced yesteryear the Poro. Poison is the usual method of execution (for witchcraft, revealing Poro secrets, doing bodily injury), as well as a trial is non e'er granted, especially if at that topographic point is full general understanding of wrongdoing. One of the main reasons that the Poro has been called an ultra-conservative forcefulness inwards relation to modify has been its role every bit enforcer, inwards fearfulness generating ways, of the traditional norms as well as its penalty of the dissenters from traditional or accepted leadership.
…Kpelle society is largely self-policing, but whenever the demand arises for a policing function, it is felt that only the Poro tin give notice deed without triggering a serial of traditional reprisal incidents.
(3) Judiciary. In improver to enforcing many of the culture’s norms, the Poro often is the approximate of these norms. Since at that topographic point is no law-making trunk inwards the Kpelle polity, all “laws” consist of cultural boundaries of norms-givens. If disagreements over terra firma or women arise, the secular authorities adjudicate the instance yesteryear a multifariousness of conflict-solving agency including informal moots every bit good every bit to a greater extent than formalized courtroom procedures. Cases are judged on perceptions of each side’s actions every bit they are supported yesteryear custom as well as tradition (see Gibbs 1963, 1969). In the secular area, however, at that topographic point are a few crimes grave plenty to demand the attending of the Poro leadership, for they bargain to a greater extent than with spiritual than secular effect. The human trunk is
sacred to the Kpelle, so violation of the trunk is a serious offense. The Poro combines with the secular scheme to command violence within the society. Making murder as well as serious fighting that termination inwards bodily damage a Poro offense gives added weight to efforts to minimize violence.
Matters concerning “witchcraft” or other supernatural phenomena are adjudicated within Poro yesteryear the council of Poro elders. Unlike some societies inwards the area, Kpelle Poro seems non to have got primary jurisdiction inwards cases dealing with terra firma distribution as well as use, bride cost business, distribution of spoils of war, or debt payment. All these move earlier secular courts composed of hamlet chiefs as well as elders with appellate rights to the Loi-Kalon as well as his chiefdom elders. If, however, dissatisfaction is non bad with whatever conclusion inwards the secular system, as well as the society is disrupted, a job may discovery a terminal appeal inwards the Poro elders. This is quite rare…
…(5) Advisory function. In most, but non all, secular affairs, Poro elders deed every bit advisors to the secular leaders, this is a natural function, considering the pregnant powerfulness the Poro control. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 secular leader is living dangerously if he does non have got the back upwards of the Poro hierarchy inwards his chiefdom or village. With their back upwards at that topographic point is much he tin give notice do; without their back upwards he is probable to discovery himself poisoned. Most situations autumn betwixt these ii extremes inwards practice, for the secular leaders are non without powerfulness as well as usually participate inwards high Poro councils every bit well
Other rituals: “Sacrifices are made to ancestors as well as other spirits, often at crossroads. Rituals as well as ritual noesis are hush-hush and, inwards general, associated with the hush-hush medicine societies. Accordingly, most
of import Kpelle rituals are non accessible to observers. One exception is the coming-out ceremonies next first seclusion.” (Erchak)
Food
The Kpelle peoples eat rice every bit their primary staple. It is supplemented yesteryear cassava, vegetables, as well as fruits; cash crops include rice, peanuts, sugarcane, as well as kola nuts they too relish fufu as well as soup, sometimes the soup is spicy but it depends on the way y'all desire it
Kpelle famer as well as his iii sons as well as a daughter
MUSIC
Music is vital to many Kpelle cultural events inwards a multifariousness of media as well as forms. Most pregnant activities, whether they are initiation into the hush-hush society, rice planting, or storytelling are integrated with musical
performance. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 large portion of the Kpelle participate inwards grouping performances as well as a few trained specialists atomic number 82 the performing groups every bit master copy drummers or soloists. Music may live either ceremonial or non-ceremonial.
Music of the ceremonial or ritual type may accompany life wheel events, or hush-hush society activities. Among the non-ceremonial music are songs of livelihood, signaling, political protest, historic epics, musical dramatic folktales, as well as entertainment. Two of these types! the musical dramatic folktale as well as signal music.
The musical dramatic folktale (meni-pelee) is the surgical physical care for of a folktale from the oral tradition yesteryear a master copy storyteller, modest soloists, as well as a chorus. The chorus provides a background ostinato pattern against which the storyteller alternately narrates the story as well as sings a refrain, employing dramatic gestures as well as exaggeration, spell assuming the roles of diverse characters within the story, as well as fifty-fifty moving exterior of the story to brand comments from the audience viewpoint. )
Signal music is that music whose pitches reverberate the relative pitches of speech communication inwards tone languages such every bit Kpelle. It is thought of every bit that music used to send messages over long distances, although with the Kpelle, the to a greater extent than of import of signal music is that played within little gatherings.
It mightiness live performed on a xylophone, musical bow, slit drum, membrane drum, or wooden horn to communicate a proverb, story, personal praise, or social ridicule. The knowledgeable listeners empathize the stylized phrases which acquaint the message inwards a large plenty context to allow the listeners positively seat it. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 master copy drummer too takes signal patterns as well as intersperses them into all of non-signal music,playing signals that tell a drummer to play faster, dot a detail choreographic displace to a dancer, praise the ensemble, or curse the players for pitiable playing.
Death as well as Afterlife
Death is a passing into a spiritual realm that coexists with the stuff realm. The deceased acquire ancestors, who seem to acquire increasingly vague as well as to displace farther away from villages as well as into the bush every bit their retentiveness becomes less distinct inwards the minds of their living relatives.
Source:http://www.anthroprof.org/documents/Docs102/102articles/kpelleMoot.pdf
http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/folkways/FW04385.pdf
http://www.refworld.org
SOME KPELLE PROVERBS
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 kid that does non outcry dies inwards the stuff it is carried in.
As a crab walks, so walk its children.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 needle is little but its metallic is strong.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 somebody is non a corn that y'all tegument as well as regard the seeds.
An old rice handbag is ugly, but the thing within is beautiful.
Friendship is non laughing.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 infant chicken sleeps nether a hawk’s tree without knowing it.
If y'all are non within a house, y'all do non know close its leaking.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 talkative kid reveals his mother’s secrets.
Everything the oral cavity says, it does non do.
The way the river flows at the surface is non the way i flows underneath.
An possessor of a solid knows close its leaking.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 kid does non know his father’s poverty.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 somebody is non his words.
One rat is exterior but many rats are within the hole.
Do non eat your chicken as well as throw its feathers inwards the forepart yard.
drummer, it’s non a town. If y'all build
a town as well as there’s no dancer, then
it’s non a town."—Kpelle proverb, Liberia
Kpelle girl, Kpaiyea.Liberia 1968
Oprah was ane of the get-go celebrities to draw her family's roots for the groundbreaking PBS serial African American Lives. After taking a deoxyribonucleic acid evidence inwards 2006, Oprah discovered that her ancestry dates dorsum to the Kpelle, an African ethnic grouping that ane time lived inwards the terra firma nosotros forthwith telephone phone Liberi
Kpelle tribe: immature adult woman weaving a handbag from raphia palm fiber inwards village. Courtesy:Tyler_Hergert
Location
The terrain inwards the expanse includes swamps, hills and, inwards lowland areas, rivers. May through Oct brings their rainy flavour with an annual rainfall from 180 to 300 centimeters. The Kpelle territory sees the lowest temperatures dropping to xix degrees C with the average temp around 36 grade C.
The Kpelle interact most oft with the neighboring Mende, Loma, Mano, as well as Bassa. They portion the Poro complex of hush-hush ritual societies with all of these peoples except the Bassa; initiates may fifty-fifty attend for certain hush-hush rituals inwards these other ethnic areas. The Kpelle too merchandise with the Muslim Vai as well as Mandingo, who oft alive with them inwards little numbers, every bit do some Lebanese merchants as well as U.S. missionaries as well as Peace Corps volunteers. An Episcopal-controlled four-year college is located inwards the middle of Kpelleland. The huge Firestone condom plantation has been evacuated as well as left untended owing to the Liberian civil conflict that began inwards Dec 1989.
Kpelle tribe human being as well as onetime armed services president of Republic of Guinea Moïse Dadis Camara waving to his supporters. He is an ex-officer of the Guinean regular army who served every bit the President of the Republic of Guinea's National Council for Democracy as well as Development (Conseil National de la Démocratie et du Développement, CNDD), which seized powerfulness inwards a armed services putsch on 23 Dec 2008 afterward the decease of long-time President as well as dictator Lansana Conté. He has been out of business office since the assassination endeavor on him on 3 Dec 2009.
Settlements
The traditional Kpelle solid is a circular one-room, wattle-and-daub hut with a conical thatched roof; however, this type, although found everywhere, nowadays predominates only inwards relatively remote, unacculturated villages. More mutual is the foursquare solid with iii rooms as well as an opened upwards porch, or a rectangular solid with ii rooms as well as a really broad opened upwards porch. Zinc roofs are gradually replacing thatch, especially where cash occupation is common.
Africa, Liberia, Kpelle tribe: hamlet scene: traditional cylindrical hut with conical thatch roof. Woman is making a line-fishing net. jangoux
Kpelle villages mostly accommodate betwixt 50 as well as 600 persons living inwards 10 to 150 huts; these numbers may live considerably higher if the hamlet is an of import ane or is located on a motor road. Villages are often surrounded yesteryear considerably smaller farm hamlets; inwards addition, some families or fifty-fifty individuals alive alone, away from a hamlet or hamlet. Larger villages, called “towns” yesteryear the Kpelle, are divided into “quarters,” named subunits with their ain quarter-chiefs. Farms are located away from villages, sometimes at a considerable distance. Villages are mostly several kilometers apart, with farm hamlets, if any, dispersed around each hamlet as well as uninhabited bush betwixt each village-hamlet cluster. Many Kpelle today alive every bit refugees inwards Republic of Guinea as well as Monrovia because of the civil war.
Kpelle women harvesting rice: jangoux
Language
The Kpelle people speak a linguistic communication known every bit Kpelle. The Kpelle language is component of the Mande household unit of measurement of languages of the larger Niger-Congo phylum. Guinean Kpelle (known every bit Guerze inwards French), spoken yesteryear one-half a ane 1000 k people, concentrated primarily, but non exclusively, inwards the wood regions of Guinea, whose capital, Nzérékoré, is the tertiary largest urban center inwards Republic of Guinea as well as the largest urban center inwards the Guinée Forestière part of south-eastern Republic of Guinea bordering Liberia, Ivory Coast, as well as Sierra Leone. Liberian Kpelle, spoken yesteryear one-half of the population, is currently taught inwards schools inwards Liberia.
Sample
The Lord's Prayer inwards Kpelle:
Kunâŋ gáa ŋele sui,
Tɔɔ ku iláai siɣe a maa waa.
Tɔɔ Ikâloŋ-laai é pá,
Tɔɔ ínîa-mɛni é kέ,
Nɔii ma ɓɛ yɛ̂ɛ berei gáa la Ɣâla-taai.
I kukɔ sâa a kuɣele-kuu tɔnɔ-tɔnɔ mii-sɛŋ;
I ipôlu fe kutɔ̂ŋ-karaa-ŋai dîa,
Yɛ̂ɛ berei kwa kupôlu fè la kuɓarâai ditɔ̂ŋ-karaa-ŋai dîai;
Tɔɔ kutúɛ kufe pili yee-laa-maa su,
Kέlɛ, i kukúla mɛni nyɔ́mɔɔ su.
Mother nursing baby, Liberia. (Mother nursing baby, Kpelle tribe, Liberia.)
Origin/History
The Kpelle-speaking people migrated from the savannah expanse of the western Sudan (Mali) during the intermission upwards of Songhai empire to what is forthwith Republic of Liberia soon earlier the halt of the 16th century, displacing the indigenous Kwa-speaking people. The Kpelle people get-go fled to North Western Africa to what is forthwith known every bit Islamic Republic of Mauritania as a termination of internal conflicts betwixt the tribes from the crumbling Sudanic empire. Some migrated to Republic of Liberia yet maintained their traditional as well as cultural heritage.A handful are inwards Islamic Republic of Mauritania of westward Africa as well as which makes upwards most of the Mauritanian people. Kpelle are too soundless located inwards western Sudan which is Republic of Mali where which a lot are mixed with the kunta bedouins arabs as well as soundless maintaining the Bedouin arab heritage. In Republic of Liberia the Kpelle formed an empire nether the leadership of King Kumba.
The independent terra firma of Republic of Liberia was founded inwards 1822 yesteryear freed slaves from the U.S.A. who went to West Africa every bit component of Marcus Garvey’s “Back to Africa” movement. African Americans were the driving forcefulness behind most Liberian institutions for to a greater extent than than 150 years. When Harvey S.Fireston released terra firma for planting condom at Harbel, Liberia, inwards the 1920s, he created a demand for tappers as well as led to the get-go of several Kpelle project migrations. There was yet some other moving ridge of Kpelle project migration inwards the 1960s because of the opening of large Fe mines inwards the western component of the country. Urban migration accelerated inwards the 1970s, leading to the establishment of large Kpelle-speaking communities,especially inwards Monrovia,the uppercase city.
DNA tested! Oprah Winfrey has Kpelle tribe ancestry.
African-American political ascendancy inwards Republic of Liberia contributed to the formation of political,economic,cultural,
as well as armed services ties to the United States. The Liberian constitution, justice system, as well as legislative bodies are based on their U.S.A. counterparts. Because of the political as well as economical stability of the country, many U.S.A. companies opened branches inwards Liberia. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 coup d’état inwards the belatedly 1980s brought the get-go native Africans to power. Until then, powerfulness had been held yesteryear the descendants of the freed American slaves. Now that the political strife from several civil wars has cometo an end, Liberians have got started to rebuild their infrastructure
Economy
Subsistence. Dry swidden rice is the Kpelle staple as well as the focus of Kpelle life. The Kpelle conceptualize the word “work” to hateful “rice cultivation.” One crop a twelvemonth is harvested inwards an annual slash-and-burn cycle; terra firma is mostly used ane time as well as and then left fallow for at to the lowest degree 7 years. During the dry out season, the, tropical pelting wood 'is cleared yesteryear the as well as sometimes women, using cutlasses (Gbeya). (The terra firma is communally owned, as well as to farm it must live given yesteryear the clan chief.) Often a piece of work co-operative (kwa-sli-ku) volition clear the bush spell several Instrumentalists accompany them inwards their piece of work After the bush is dried, it is burned, leaving tree stumps as well as large fallen logs which preclude soil erosion. The women works life the rice, often inwards co-operatives (kwa-sli-kuu). They accompany planting every bit good every bit harvest with appropriate piece of work songs.
Cassava (manioc) is the second-most of import staple crop. The Kpelle too grow a multifariousness of other foodstuffs, including yams, potatoes, plantains, greens, peanuts, eggplants, okra, tomatoes, sesame seeds, peppers, onions, oranges, grapefruits, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, as well as papayas. Hunting as well as trapping contribute occasional meat to the diet, although line-fishing contributes a larger proportion of poly peptide source. Gathering is far to a greater extent than important, providing palm wine, palm nuts (for palm oil), kola nuts, as well as many wild fruits, fungi, vegetables, herbs, roots, as well as greens.
West Africa, Liberia, Kpelle tribe. Women line-fishing with manus nets inwards shallow stream..COURTESY acques Jangao. Source:jangoux
Commercial. Cash cropping of sugarcane, rubber, cacao, as well as java did non get until the 1960s. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 decreasing few Kpelle spin as well as weave native cotton fiber into homespun cloth, as well as a few fairly affluent men distill sugarcane juice into rum, but most Kpelle acquire cash through wage project on condom farms as well as inwards Fe mines. Most Kpelle have got no domestic animals; those who do hold goats, sheep, as well as chickens slaughter them only for religious sacrifice or to honour a high-status visitor. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few wealthy families have got some cattle or a few pigs
Kpelle people
Sexual partitioning of production
“The Kpelle partitioning of project is determined primarily yesteryear gender. Men clear the bush, as well as women plant. Men hunt as well as occasionally fish as well as gather palm wine, palm nuts, as well as kola nuts. Women do most of the line-fishing as well as gathering. Women weave nets as well as most baskets, whereas men plait mats, brand furniture, weave some types of mat, and, where it is soundless practiced, weave homespun cloth. Although all Kpelle are farmers, some farther partitioning results from noesis of politics as well as “medicine” (or “traditional mysticism”). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 chief, for example, may live somewhat ameliorate off than others.” (Erchak)
Kpelle people
Land tenure
“Because population density is low, at that topographic point is petty terra firma pressure level inwards most of Kpelleland. The get-go human being to settle inwards a previously uninhabited expanse is called the “owner of the land,” a championship with ritual every bit good every bit secular significance. He, or if deceased, his descendant, allots terra firma to those who ask, as well as permission is rarely refused.” (Erchak) since the society is patrilineal the caput of the clan holds the terra firma inwards trust for his clan
members.
Kpelle boys Liberia, source:jangoux
Marriage as well as Family
Marriage. Although monogamy has acquire to a greater extent than mutual inwards the belatedly twentieth century, polygyny remains the preferred marital type. Anthropologist James Gibbs (1965) describes vi types of union recognized yesteryear the Kpelle, ranging from the most prestigious (full bride-price paid outright with patrilocal residence) to casual liaisons. The Kpelle prefer spousal human relationship with bride-price, although bride-service is acceptable every bit well. Patrilocal postmarital residence is preferred, but neolocality associated with bride-service is quite mutual for really immature couples. At to the lowest degree 20 pct of Kpelle marriages halt inwards divorce, which tin give notice live quite complex as well as protracted. Grounds include infertility as well as adultery for husbands, as well as physical abuse as well as nonsupport for wives. Divorce negotiations involve property, especially when substantial bride-price is involved.
Domestic Unit
The polygynous family, with each married adult woman as well as her children having their ain hut, is the ideal form, but it is quite rare. It is to a greater extent than probable that all members of a polygynous household unit of measurement alive inwards the same house, with each married adult woman having her ain room. Often ane married adult woman volition alive elsewhere, fifty-fifty several kilometers away. Monogamous nuclear as well as extended families are on the increase.
Kpelle adult woman from Liberia
Inheritance
A man's authority, property, as well as younger wives are inherited either yesteryear his oldest surviving blood brother or his oldest son. Obligations, debts, personality, as well as nutrient taboos, with other things, are inherited patrilineally.
Women of Kpelle tribe socializing within hut, immature ane at right weaving mat, adult woman at left carrying infant strapped on her back, Liberia, West Africa. Source:jangoux
Socialization
Until historic menses 2, children are really much indulged; from historic menses 2 to 6, they are trained through threats as well as ridicule; afterward historic menses 6, corporal penalty is oft used. At all ages, curiosity is stifled as well as conception actively discouraged. Boys are circumcised when they are young. At some dot betwixt the ages of 7 as well as 20, boys are initiated inwards seclusion as well as en masse into the hush-hush men's society called Poro. While Poro schoolhouse used to in conclusion upwards to 4 years, nowadays it is mostly much shorter.
Kpelle man. source:jangoux
Physical initiation features scarification on the dorsum as well as often on the breast as well as tum every bit well. Also betwixt the ages of 7 as well as 20, girls are initiated into the women's Sande society, a physical care for that traditionally lasted upwards to iii years. Clitoridectomy as well as labiadectomy are key features of woman somebody initiation. For both sexes, initiation is carried out yesteryear masked figures.
Kpelle tribe: children carrying mud, helping inwards the construction of a wattle-and-daub house.
Social Organization
Although residence as well as many activities tend to live built on the patrilineages, associations are to a greater extent than of import inwards Kpelle social organization. The get-go is the kuu, which is an mention hoc cooperative piece of work grouping of kin, friends, as well as neighbors. The ii primary kuu types are those that are formed to clear the wood for a rice farm as well as those that are called together to build a house, but piece of work groups are too created for other purposes. Even to a greater extent than pregnant are the many hush-hush societies, especially the Poro (for men) as well as Sande (for women), which pervade many aspects of life. They component every bit religious, social, political, legal, as well as educational institutions. In addition, at that topographic point are numerous exclusive specialized societies devoted to diverse forms of magic (“medicine”)—for example, controlling snakes, lightning, or witches.
Kpelle tribe girl, Kpeiyea,liberia
Political organization
Kpelle political organisation is centralized although at that topographic point is no unmarried manful somebody monarch or paramount chief,but a serial of chiefs of the same flat of authority, each of whom is super ordinate over district chiefs as well as town chiefs. Some political functions are too vested inwards the tribal fraternity, the Poro, which soundless functions vigorously. The shape of political organisation found inwards the expanse tin give notice thus best live termed the polycephalous associational state.
The construction of the Kpelle courtroom scheme parallels that of the political organization. In Republic of Liberia the highest courtroom of a tribal potency as well as the highest tribal courtroom chartered yesteryear the Government is that of a paramount chief. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 district chief’s courtroom is too an official court. Disputes may live settled inwards these official courts or inwards unofficial courts, such every bit those of town chiefs or quarter elders. In improver to this, grievances are settled informally inwards moots, as well as sometimes yesteryear associational groupings such every bit church building counsels or cooperative piece of work groups
Social Control. Beyond enculturation, conformity is achieved largely through social pressure, especially the fearfulness of beingness defendant of witchcraft. The Poro as well as Sande too hold their members inwards line, fifty-fifty trying as well as torturing individuals for serious violations of norms. In secular matters, most cases are adjudicated inwards informal hearings, often convened yesteryear the hamlet chief. Nowadays to a greater extent than serious cases move through the Liberian courts, although traditional ordeals are often employed.
Conflict. The Kpelle engaged inwards sporadic warfare until the belatedly 1930s. “War chief” was a traditionally recognized as well as prestigious office; it is forthwith defunct, although it may soundless have got ritual significance within the Poro
The Kpelle Moot (berei mu meni saa)
The Kpelle berei mu meni saa, or ‘house palaver,’ is an informal airing of a dispute which takes seat earlier an assembled grouping which includes kinsmen of the litigants as well as neighbors from the quarter where the instance is beingness heard. It is a completely mention hoc group, varying greatly inwards composition from instance to case.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Kpelle adult woman as well as her fille select turns pounding palm nuts inwards this 1966 photograph taken close Gbarnga, Liberia. courtesy: wandering-through-time-and-place.
The judicial scheme of the Kpelle is organized inwards ii ways: ane yesteryear a somebody who would desire to brand a complaint. Everyone involved as well as unopen relatives get together at a solid as well as an elderberry from the Poro (kpung holder) would mediate a give-and-take close it. The focus of the ceremony is to restore grouping harmony as well as the kpung holder performs many blessings throughout the meeting, ending the give-and-take acting that everyone delight deed with expert grace as well as unity. The halt termination usually is a grouping catharsis every bit everyone acquaint is able to speak their minds inwards turn. The mo part, the to a greater extent than official component is the courtroom system, which is headed yesteryear the hamlet principal as well as models the Liberian government. “The courtroom is especially effective inwards settling cases such every bit assault, possession of illegal charms, or theft where the litigants are non linked inwards a relationship
which must move on afterward the trial” as well as the courtroom is markedly coercive as well as abusive. (Podolefsky)
The Kpelle Moot Procedure:
The moot is most often held on a Sunday--a 24-hour interval of remainder for Christians as well as non Christians alike--at the domicile of the complainant, the somebody who calls the moot. The mediator volition have got been selected yesteryear the complainant. He is a kinsman who too holds an business office such every bit town principal or quarter elder, as well as thence has some science inwards dispute settlement. It is said that he is chosen to preside yesteryear virtue of his kin tie, rather than because of his office.
The proceedings get with the pronouncing of blessings yesteryear ane of the oldest men of the group. He pray to May yala (supreme deity) to bless them as well as to ensure peace. The human being who pronounces the blessings e'er carries a stick or a whisk [kpung] which hewaves for trial every bit he paces upwards as well as downward chanting his injunctions. Participation of spectators is demanded, for the blessings are chanted yesteryear the elderberry [kpung namu or ‘kpung owner’] every bit a serial of imperatives, some of which he repeats. Each phrase is responded to yesteryear the spectators who response inwards unison with a formal response, either e ka ti [so live it], or a low, drawn out eeee. The kpung nama delivers his blessings faster as well as faster, edifice upwards a rhythmic interaction pattern with the other participants. The trial is to unite those attending inwards mutual activity earlier the hearing begins. The approving focuses attending on the concern with maintaining harmony as well as the well-being of the grouping every bit a whole.
Everyone attending the moot wears their next-to-best clothe or, if it is non Sunday, everyday clothes. Elders, litigants, as well as spectators sit down inwards mixed fashion, pressed closely upon each other, often alluvion onto a veranda. This is inwards contrast to the vertical spatial separation betwixt litigants as well as adjudicators inwards the courtroom. The mediator, fifty-fifty though he is a chief, does non have on his robes. He as well as the oldest men volition live given chairs every bit they would on whatever other occasion.
The complainant speaks get-go as well as may live interrupted yesteryear the mediator or anyone else present. After he has been thoroughly quizzed, the defendant volition response as well as volition too live questioned yesteryear those present. The ii parties volition enquiry each other straight as well as enquiry others inwards the room also. Both the testimony as well as the questioning are lively as well as uninhibited. Where at that topographic point are witnesses to some of the actions described yesteryear the parties, they may too speak as well as live questioned. Although the proceedings are spirited, they rest orderly. The mediator may fine anyone who speaks out of plow yesteryear requiring them to convey some rum for the grouping to drink.
Talkshow mogul Oprah WinfreyOprah walking with Prof Louis Gate Jnr. Oprah was ane of the get-go celebrities to draw her family's roots for the groundbreaking PBS serial African American Lives. After taking a deoxyribonucleic acid evidence inwards 2006, Oprah discovered that her ancestry dates dorsum to the Kpelle, an African ethnic grouping that ane time lived inwards the terra firma nosotros forthwith telephone phone Liberia.
The mediator as well as others acquaint volition dot out the diverse faults committed yesteryear both parties. After everyone has been heard, the mediator expresses the consensus of the group. For example, inwards the Case of the Ousted Wife, he said to Yua: ‘The words y'all used towards your sis were non good, so come upwards as well as beg her pardon.’
The somebody held to live mainly at fault volition as well as then formally apologize to the other person. This apology takes the shape of the giving of token gifts to the wronged somebody yesteryear the guilty party. These may live an item of clothing, a few coins, laid upwards clean hulled rice, or a combination of all three. It is too customary for the winning political party inwards accepting the gifts or apology to give, inwards return, a smaller token such every bit a twenty-five cent slice to exhibit his ‘white heart’ or expert will. The losing political party is too lightly ‘fined’; he must acquaint rum or beer to the mediator as well as the others who heard the case. This is consumed yesteryear all inwards attendance. The old human being as well as then pronounces blessings over again as well as offers cheers for the restoration of harmony within the group, as well as asks that all move on to deed with expert grace as well as unity.
Kpelle tribe human being as well as onetime Guinean president Captain Moussa Dadis Camara
Religious belief
“Kpelle faith is rather inchoate, focused vaguely on God, the ancestors, as well as wood spirits as well as to a greater extent than sharply on the hush-hush medicine societies as well as the masked spirits who operate within those societies. The Kpelle recognize a High God or the supreme, creator deity "May yala." who created the world as well as and then retired. They believe May yala bless the household unit of measurement as well as brand them fruitful. He bless the children as well as the remainder of the household unit of measurement so they may e'er live salubrious as well as have got expert luck. The Kpelle are of belief that May yala bless them to relish life as well as too bless all those who engage inwards peaceful traditional moot mediation known every bit Kpelle berei mu meni saa, or ‘house palaver,’( is an informal airing of a dispute which takes seat earlier an assembled grouping which includes kinsmen of the litigants as well as neighbors from the quarter where the instance is beingness heard).
They believe inwards a multifariousness of lesser spirits or genii, including ancestors, personal totems, H2O spirits, as well as spirits inwards magically powerful masks. Witchcraft as well as sorcery figure prominently inwards the belief system.” “Medicine men, medicine women, as well as diviners of diverse types too often relish considerable prestige as well as influence, especially within the framework of the numerous hush-hush (or sacred) societies. The blacksmith, for example, is e'er a powerful medicine human being who is believed yesteryear many to live an of import ritual leader within the Poro society for men. Wealthy, influential men are called “outstanding men” or “big shots” as well as are really much admired as well as often envied.
Kpelle people
Passage rituals (birth, death, puberty, seasonal)
Poro as well as Sande Secret Societies Poro is a hush-hush society for men; Sande, a hush-hush society for women. Poro is responsible for initiating immature men into social manhood; Sande, for initiating immature women into social womanhood. These sodalities are hush-hush inwards the feel that members of each have got for certain noesis that tin give notice live revealed only to initiated members. Both sodalities are hierarchically organized. The higher a person’s condition within the sodality, the greater the hush-hush noesis revealed.
Poro as well as Sande are responsible for supervising as well as regulating the sexual, social, as well as political send of all members of the wider society. To send out this responsibility, high-status sodality members impersonate of import supernatural figures yesteryear donning masks as well as performing inwards public. One hush-hush kept from the uninitiated is that these masked figures are non the spirits themselves.
Membership is automatic on initiation, as well as all men as well as women are ordinarily initiated. …Each community has its ain local Poro as well as Sande congregations, as well as a somebody initiated inwards ane community is eligible to participate inwards the congregations of other communities. Initiates must pay a fee for initiation, as well as if they want to have advanced preparation as well as progress to higher levels within the sodality, they must pay additional fees. In whatever community where Poro as well as Sande are strong, potency inwards society is divided betwixt a sodality of mature women as well as ane of mature men. Together, they piece of work to hold society on the right path.
In its strictly sacred manifestations, the Poro is the agency of organizing relationships with the spirits that are the foundation of the Kpelle belief system. These spirits tin give notice live divided into 5 categories: (1) ancestral spirits, (2) genii, (3) miscellaneous bush as well as H2O spirits, (4)
spirits of the associations, as well as (5) specific Poro spirits.
All play a role inwards the pantheon of Kpelle beliefs. The get-go iii categories of spirits principle the unseen world of the otherwise unexplainable. Ancestral spirits explicate the life afterward decease enquiry acquaint inwards most cultures as well as supply a spiritual mirror to the kinship based human relationship patterns of daily life. The ancestors maintain a personal interest, as well as influence, on household unit of measurement as well as chiefdom life. They are protectors, as well as the Loi-Kalon [chief elder] as well as the Poro portion responsibilities for keeping them satisfied (ritually “fed”) as well as interested inwards the well-being of the chiefdom as well as its peoples.
The genii as well as the bush as well as H2O spirits are a grouping of specific nature spirits with the powerfulness to transfer specialized noesis or punishments. They thence often demand earthly specialists inwards dealing with them hence, the existence of specialized medicine men, fortune tellers, as well as communicators with the spirits. The spirits of the associations are to a greater extent than pervasive influences, since they manifest themselves through the hierarchy of specialized societies.
There are diverse specific associations that arise from fourth dimension to fourth dimension with detail interests as well as functions (e.g., ophidian society, leopard society) which manifest their powerfulness through specific spirits personified yesteryear varied masked figures. Most belike these specific associations are “arms” of or auxiliaries of the Poro as well as are ultimately controlled yesteryear the Poro
hierarchy. The spirits of the Poro society are the worldly representation of supernatural forces personifying the volition of “god” or the mysteries of life. These spirits are unlike from the others because they correspond non only the supernatural world, but the earthly manifestation of this power: the Poro. Chief with these spirits is the “bush devil” (daa-devil). He represents the ultimate communication of the powerfulness as well as volition of the spirits (god). The really highest flat of the Poro controls the worldly appearance of this figure inwards the shape of a masked “mummer.”
The Poro controls several masked figures that correspond spirits as well as perform a multifariousness of functions, but it is the “bush devil” who is the cumulative powerfulness of the spirits as well as the Poro as well as is every bit unopen to an earthly manifestation of “god” every bit exists inwards Kpelle religion. Harley (1950)
indicates the masks of this as well as the other figures incorporate the existent powerfulness of the religion, non the men of the Poro themselves. Regardless, it is the command of these spirits (through ceremony, medicine, as well as exclusive contact) for expert or sick that constitutes the hard-core handle on the society that is the sacred powerfulness of the Poro.
‘Although it is the sacred human face of life that gives the Poro its main argue for existence, it is the secular extension of the sacred functions, as well as the organisation of society to realize these, that touches most straight the political life of the Kpelle. The unopen human relationship betwixt the sacred as well as the secular presents the key to Poro influence on political decisions.
In relation to the Poro activities dealing with the supervision of political affairs within the Kpelle chiefdom, I seat the activities of the Poro inwards specifically political affairs inwards the next categories: (1) reinforcing the legitimacy of the polity, (2) performing some functions of internal police, (3) performing for certain judiciary functions, (4) playing a role in
diplomacy as well as communications, as well as (5) advising the secular authorities.
(1) Legitimacy. As a full general legitimizing force, it is clear that the Poro, having command of spiritual matters, tin give notice give acceptance to the political system.
…(2) Police functions. The Poro, or auxiliary associations connected with the Poro hierarchy inwards some specific instances, deed every bit enforcers of cultural norms. Poro agents, non agents of the Loi-Kalon or the elders, execute those who deviate seriously from social (civil every bit good every bit sacred) norms. Matters of a serious nature adjudicated yesteryear the Loi-Kalon, hamlet elders, or the Poro elders are enforced yesteryear the Poro. Poison is the usual method of execution (for witchcraft, revealing Poro secrets, doing bodily injury), as well as a trial is non e'er granted, especially if at that topographic point is full general understanding of wrongdoing. One of the main reasons that the Poro has been called an ultra-conservative forcefulness inwards relation to modify has been its role every bit enforcer, inwards fearfulness generating ways, of the traditional norms as well as its penalty of the dissenters from traditional or accepted leadership.
…Kpelle society is largely self-policing, but whenever the demand arises for a policing function, it is felt that only the Poro tin give notice deed without triggering a serial of traditional reprisal incidents.
(3) Judiciary. In improver to enforcing many of the culture’s norms, the Poro often is the approximate of these norms. Since at that topographic point is no law-making trunk inwards the Kpelle polity, all “laws” consist of cultural boundaries of norms-givens. If disagreements over terra firma or women arise, the secular authorities adjudicate the instance yesteryear a multifariousness of conflict-solving agency including informal moots every bit good every bit to a greater extent than formalized courtroom procedures. Cases are judged on perceptions of each side’s actions every bit they are supported yesteryear custom as well as tradition (see Gibbs 1963, 1969). In the secular area, however, at that topographic point are a few crimes grave plenty to demand the attending of the Poro leadership, for they bargain to a greater extent than with spiritual than secular effect. The human trunk is
sacred to the Kpelle, so violation of the trunk is a serious offense. The Poro combines with the secular scheme to command violence within the society. Making murder as well as serious fighting that termination inwards bodily damage a Poro offense gives added weight to efforts to minimize violence.
Matters concerning “witchcraft” or other supernatural phenomena are adjudicated within Poro yesteryear the council of Poro elders. Unlike some societies inwards the area, Kpelle Poro seems non to have got primary jurisdiction inwards cases dealing with terra firma distribution as well as use, bride cost business, distribution of spoils of war, or debt payment. All these move earlier secular courts composed of hamlet chiefs as well as elders with appellate rights to the Loi-Kalon as well as his chiefdom elders. If, however, dissatisfaction is non bad with whatever conclusion inwards the secular system, as well as the society is disrupted, a job may discovery a terminal appeal inwards the Poro elders. This is quite rare…
…(5) Advisory function. In most, but non all, secular affairs, Poro elders deed every bit advisors to the secular leaders, this is a natural function, considering the pregnant powerfulness the Poro control. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 secular leader is living dangerously if he does non have got the back upwards of the Poro hierarchy inwards his chiefdom or village. With their back upwards at that topographic point is much he tin give notice do; without their back upwards he is probable to discovery himself poisoned. Most situations autumn betwixt these ii extremes inwards practice, for the secular leaders are non without powerfulness as well as usually participate inwards high Poro councils every bit well
Other rituals: “Sacrifices are made to ancestors as well as other spirits, often at crossroads. Rituals as well as ritual noesis are hush-hush and, inwards general, associated with the hush-hush medicine societies. Accordingly, most
of import Kpelle rituals are non accessible to observers. One exception is the coming-out ceremonies next first seclusion.” (Erchak)
Food
The Kpelle peoples eat rice every bit their primary staple. It is supplemented yesteryear cassava, vegetables, as well as fruits; cash crops include rice, peanuts, sugarcane, as well as kola nuts they too relish fufu as well as soup, sometimes the soup is spicy but it depends on the way y'all desire it
Kpelle famer as well as his iii sons as well as a daughter
MUSIC
Music is vital to many Kpelle cultural events inwards a multifariousness of media as well as forms. Most pregnant activities, whether they are initiation into the hush-hush society, rice planting, or storytelling are integrated with musical
performance. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 large portion of the Kpelle participate inwards grouping performances as well as a few trained specialists atomic number 82 the performing groups every bit master copy drummers or soloists. Music may live either ceremonial or non-ceremonial.
Music of the ceremonial or ritual type may accompany life wheel events, or hush-hush society activities. Among the non-ceremonial music are songs of livelihood, signaling, political protest, historic epics, musical dramatic folktales, as well as entertainment. Two of these types! the musical dramatic folktale as well as signal music.
The musical dramatic folktale (meni-pelee) is the surgical physical care for of a folktale from the oral tradition yesteryear a master copy storyteller, modest soloists, as well as a chorus. The chorus provides a background ostinato pattern against which the storyteller alternately narrates the story as well as sings a refrain, employing dramatic gestures as well as exaggeration, spell assuming the roles of diverse characters within the story, as well as fifty-fifty moving exterior of the story to brand comments from the audience viewpoint. )
Signal music is that music whose pitches reverberate the relative pitches of speech communication inwards tone languages such every bit Kpelle. It is thought of every bit that music used to send messages over long distances, although with the Kpelle, the to a greater extent than of import of signal music is that played within little gatherings.
It mightiness live performed on a xylophone, musical bow, slit drum, membrane drum, or wooden horn to communicate a proverb, story, personal praise, or social ridicule. The knowledgeable listeners empathize the stylized phrases which acquaint the message inwards a large plenty context to allow the listeners positively seat it. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 master copy drummer too takes signal patterns as well as intersperses them into all of non-signal music,playing signals that tell a drummer to play faster, dot a detail choreographic displace to a dancer, praise the ensemble, or curse the players for pitiable playing.
Death as well as Afterlife
Death is a passing into a spiritual realm that coexists with the stuff realm. The deceased acquire ancestors, who seem to acquire increasingly vague as well as to displace farther away from villages as well as into the bush every bit their retentiveness becomes less distinct inwards the minds of their living relatives.
Kpelle tribe adult woman from Liberia,Oprah Winfrey
Source:http://www.anthroprof.org/documents/Docs102/102articles/kpelleMoot.pdf
http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/folkways/FW04385.pdf
http://www.refworld.org
SOME KPELLE PROVERBS
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 kid that does non outcry dies inwards the stuff it is carried in.
As a crab walks, so walk its children.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 needle is little but its metallic is strong.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 somebody is non a corn that y'all tegument as well as regard the seeds.
An old rice handbag is ugly, but the thing within is beautiful.
Friendship is non laughing.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 infant chicken sleeps nether a hawk’s tree without knowing it.
If y'all are non within a house, y'all do non know close its leaking.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 talkative kid reveals his mother’s secrets.
Everything the oral cavity says, it does non do.
The way the river flows at the surface is non the way i flows underneath.
An possessor of a solid knows close its leaking.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 kid does non know his father’s poverty.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 somebody is non his words.
One rat is exterior but many rats are within the hole.
Do non eat your chicken as well as throw its feathers inwards the forepart yard.
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