Ethnography of the Gola People Essay Example

education is stressed in the Gola community, especially for the boys (Johnson-Sirleaf 112). Gola food is comparable to food in the American south as a result of the Americo-Liberians bringing the Gola people into their homes to work as cooks. Naturally, the Gola people began to adopt some of the American cooking, and now enjoy lots of fried food, many different kinds of greens, as well as corn bread, yam, and cassava (Weedor).

Coming of age In the Gola tribe there is a coming of age for girls and boys, a recognized transition into adulthood. This custom is one that is unique to the Gola people. The process begins between the ages of 10 and 13. Children are taken into the “bush”-typically a remote area of Liberian jungle, territory to leopards, snakes, and other dangerous wildlife. Typically, the girls spend two years in the bush and the boys spend four. For the boys, their time in the bush consist of numerous physical and mental challenges. Boys are taught how to fish and hunt using only the tools nature has to offer them.

They are also taught to fight, a process that often takes them to the brink of death. Along with this, they are also taught the dances of warriors and the stories of the men who came before them. As for the girls, they learn proper ways of cooking and cleaning as well as how to take care of a household. They are taught wound care and how to use plants and herbs for medicinal purposes. The girls too, learn the majority of the tribal dances and narratives (Weedor). At the end of their time in

the bush, the boys and girls are reemerged into the village for a large ceremony which lasts several days. During the ceremony they are tested by the elders and community leaders, on everything they have learned while in the bush. Upon passing each test they will then be recognized as men and women and deemed ready for marriage.

Marriage In the past, most marriages in the Gola community have been arranged, but since the 20th century it has become more acceptable for women to choose their own spouse. However, the family of the woman weighs heavily in the decision. Traditionally, marriage is dowry based, meaning a man must pay a price to the bride’s family in order to be granted permission to marry. During courting, a man must make himself known to the woman’s family. In other words, the man has to reveal his intentions in the relationship to the woman’s family. Following this meeting, another meeting must take place in which the man asks for the permission of the woman’s family to get married. At this meeting, a dowry price is determined. Typically the dowry price includes a sum of money, cattle, and firearms for the father or the bride, and linens and clothing for the bride’s mother and sisters. In a final meeting, the dowry is paid and afterwards the wedding (also paid for by the groom) takes place.

Music and dance When it comes to music the Gola people are a very celebratory group. Traditionally, most of the music is made acoustically, but when instruments are involved they typically use drums and “sasa’s”-an instrument native to West Africa. The sasa is made entirely out

of calabash gourds and covered with small beads or shells (Schaaf). The instrument creates a shaker sound, similar to a maraca. Dancing goes hand in hand with music and is an integral part of Gola culture. The Gola people are very expressive in their dancing and are almost always telling a story with their movement; stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. As touched on previously, boys and girls are taught many of the dances during their transitional period into adulthood by well respected leaders in the community. They are later required to perform various dances as part of their coming of age.

Language In Liberia, Gola has been recognized as one of the most difficult languages. It is also one of the countries few written dialects. However, many of the Gola people are unable to write it, as its written form has only been around for the past 50 years. This is because it only a spoken language until it was first recorded by missionaries who desired the language in written form in order to make bibles for the native people (Schaaf).

Conclusion As of today, the Gola people are not the most prominent tribe in Liberia, but they still hold a major influence in the country, especially, after the election of the first female African president, Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is half Gola. They are currently not at war or in any disputes with other tribes. They continue to grow as a tribe and thrive as a people group.