An Unusual Handshake

Liberians may greet one another with a particular handshake that involved grasping the middle finger of the other person's right hand between one's thumb and third finger and bringing it up rapidly with a snapping. This cutoms originated in the days of slavery when a slave owner might break the finger of his slave's hand to indicate his slave's captivity. When the freed slaves began to colonize Liberia, they began this ritualistic greeting as an indication of their freedom.

LIBERIAN LOCAL CUSTOMS


Food in Daily Life:

The primary staple is rice. This complex carbohydrate forms the centerpiece of the meal, and savory sauces provide flavor. Meat or fish is used as a garnish or ingredient in the sauce rather than being the focus of the meal. In rural areas, people begin the day with a small meal of leftover rice or boiled cassava dipped in the sauce from the day before. Depending on the time of year and the work schedule, the main meal may be served at midday or in the evening. Snacks of mangoes, bananas, sugarcane, coconut, fried plantain or cassava, and citrus fruits may be consumed throughout the day.

CULTURE OF LIBERIA



SHARING OUR CULTURE

Liberia - greetings vary by region and ethnicity. Among the Kpelle people, common greetings are Yaa-wun (Good morning), Gba-to-wa (Good afternoon), Elo-wlee (Good night), and Ku-maneeju (How are you?). Bassa greetings include Moin ley (Good morning), Wli yeah (Good afternoon), and Ai wli moin (How are you?). Among the Gio ethnic group, people say Ba-buah (Good morning), Nyle a-gbigeah (Good afternoon), Madi yea (Good night), and Ku-merie (How are you?).

Holidays - Liberia's national holidays include New Year's Day (1 Jan.), Armed Forces Day (11 Feb.), Decoration Day (second Wednesday in March; people honor the dead by cleaning and decorating grave sites), Birthday of Joseph Jenkins Roberts (15 March; honoring Liberia's first president), Fast and Prayer Day (second Tuesday in April), National Unification Day (14 May; celebrating the reconciliation of indigenous people and Americo-Liberians), National Independence Day (26 July), National Flag Day (24 Aug.), Thanksgiving Day (first Thursday in November), Birthday of William V.S. Tubman (29 Nov.), and Christmas Day (25 Dec.).

LIBERIA CUSTOMS PDF