Handout

Countries and Their Cultures: Kpelle Kinship

Curated by ACT

The Kpelle are the largest ethnic group in the West African nation of Liberia and a significant group in neighboring Guinea. They are arguably the most rural and conservative of the major Liberian peoples. The only significant kin group is the patrilineage, which is weak in function and shallow in depth, extending only three or four generations. Iroquois cousin terminology with bifurcate-merging avuncular terms is used. Kpelle design various musical instruments, weave homespun cloth and several types of mat, and carve crude sculptures. Beautiful spirit masks associated with the secret societies.

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Classroom Considerations
  • Knovation Readability Score: 3 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)
  • The intended use for this resource is Instructional