Liberia: Description, History, ProblemsStarr, Frederick
History
Liberia: Description, History, Problems
Starr, Frederick
Liberia
Jore, in his valuable study of Liberia, discusses the question of the
actual number of natives in Liberia as follows: “Messrs. Johnston and
Delafosse have estimated the number of natives of Liberia at 2,000,000
persons. This figure would appear to-day to be above the actual. In
fact, from serious studies which have been made in French West Africa,
it results that a density of population superior to twelve inhabitants
to the square kilometer, has been found only in Lower Dahomey,
Ovagadougou, in Upper Senegal and Niger, in Lower Senegal, and in a very
restricted part of Middle Guinea. Generally the density remains inferior
to five inhabitants to the square kilometer. But there is no reason to
believe that Liberia is, in its entirety, more populous than our own
possessions in West Africa. In taking the density at the figure 8, one
runs the chance of still finding himself above the reality. Liberia,
having to-day 80,000 square kilometers, its population ought scarcely to
surpass 600,000 or 700,000 inhabitants. In any case, it certainly does
not go beyond 1,000,000 persons.” This estimate seems to us far more
reasonable than any other that has been made. Even thus reduced, the
native population overwhelmingly outnumbers the Americo-Liberian. More
than that, they are at home and acclimated; they enjoy good health and
presumably are rapidly increasing. We have indeed no means of actually
knowing such to be the fact. But the impression gained from observation
is that, while the Americo-Liberians barely hold their own, the Kru, the
Mohammedans, and the natives of the interior are flourishing. Even in
crowded and unsanitary towns, like those which occur upon the borders of
Liberian settlements, the Kru appear to be increasing. Krutown, at
Monrovia, suffers from frightful mortality, but those who live are
vigorous, hardy, and energetic. The houses are crowded close together,
but there are no empty houses falling into ruins and no shrinkage in the
area occupied. The schools (that is, the mission schools of the
Methodists) are crowded with children; the Kru mission chapel
(Protestant Episcopal) is maintained with an energy and interest which
could be found only among a people who were looking out upon life with
the hope and vigor which comes from physical prosperity. So far as the
natives of the interior are concerned, they show every sign of increase.
There are of course abandoned towns and villages in plenty, but the
towns now occupied are filled with people, and children swarm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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