The Mano River Union (MRU) is a regional body in West Africa that comprises Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire as member states. Since its establishment in 1973, the MRU has advanced economic integration and regional cooperation, embodying diverse cultural and social systems that reflect centuries of migratory patterns, commercial exchanges, and historical linkages. The cultural anthropology of this region reveals how tradition interacts with modernity and globalisation in complex ways.
Multiple ethnic groups inhabit the MRU region, maintaining distinct linguistic traditions alongside their unique social hierarchies and cultural practices. The area is dominated by the Mande, Kru, and Atlantic linguistic groups, while significant ethnic populations include the Mende, Temne, Kpelle, Vai, Kissi, Gola, and Dan (Zhou, 2018). Despite their linguistic parallels, these groups have preserved distinct social identities shaped by historical exchanges, including trade and conflict.
The MRU countries mainly follow patrilineal kinship systems yet feature matrilineal aspects within specific groups. The extended family structure is a pivotal social organisation, governed by elders’ authority and decision-making. Land ownership and inheritance rights, alongside social duties, are dictated by one’s lineage and clan ties (Dunn & Tarpeh, 2019). The Poro and Sande secret societies hold substantial power over socialisation processes, governance structures, and traditional transitional ceremonies.
People living in the MRU region practice a blended religious system that combines elements from indigenous African beliefs alongside Islam and Christianity. The core elements of indigenous belief systems include respect for ancestors, spirit worship, and divination. Islam became prevalent among Mande-speaking peoples through trans-Saharan trade networks, whereas Christianity gained widespread acceptance among the Kru and Atlantic groups during the colonial period. The simultaneous presence of various religious traditions leads to highly changeable religious identities.
People living in the MRU region practice a blended religious system that combines elements from indigenous African beliefs alongside Islam and Christianity. The core elements of indigenous belief systems include respect for ancestors, spirit worship, and divination. Islam became prevalent among Mande-speaking peoples through trans-Saharan trade networks, whereas Christianity gained widespread acceptance among the Kru and Atlantic groups during the colonial period. The simultaneous presence of various religious traditions leads to highly changeable religious identities.
Historically, the MRU region’s traditional economies have been founded on agriculture, hunting, and local artisanal trade. Communities in coastal and inland areas depend on fishing and pastoralism as cornerstone occupations, while rice, cassava, and cocoa cultivation continue as primary agricultural practices. Kola nuts, gold, and textiles are key commodities in the region’s extensive trade history (Brooks, 2018). Resource exploitation and economic changes driven by globalisation have disrupted traditional livelihoods and generated new cultural dynamics.
Conflict, Migration, and Cultural Adaptation
The MRU has endured major social disruptions because of civil wars, together with economic instability and people moving across borders. The civil conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the late 20th century led to massive population movements that fundamentally reshaped established social networks and cultural identities (Richards, 2005). After conflict, societies face reconciliation challenges alongside questions of national identity and cultural survival. The movement patterns of voluntary and forced migrants have transformed the artistic practices of urban communities.
Cultural Expressions: Music, Dance, and Oral Traditions. The MRU region uses music and dance as essential media for representing its cultural identity and historical memory. Traditional oral historians, known as griots, preserve communal knowledge through storytelling and musical traditions, including poetry and song. The djembe and balafon drumming traditions are vital in social events and religious rituals (Charry, 2019). Current musical styles such as Afrobeat and reggae fuse historical rhythms with contemporary elements, demonstrating ongoing cultural development. Cultural anthropology of the Mano River Union region shows that its people exhibit resilience as they adapt to change while maintaining strong social connections. Throughout history, traditional institutions, linguistic diversity, and artistic expressions have remained important in social life despite numerous challenges. The interaction between traditional customs and contemporary practices shapes the cultural landscape while revealing the complexities of West African societies.
