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Bassa Leaders and Icons: The Top 10 Notable Personalities

The Bassa people are an ethnic group predominantly found in the countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone in West Africa. They have contributed immensely to various fields such as politics, music, sports, and the arts. Here are 10 popular celebrities and notable people from the Bassa ethnicity:

  • 1. George Weah: Born in Monrovia, Liberia, George Weah is a retired professional footballer who won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1995. He later became the President of Liberia, making him the first Bassa person to hold the country’s highest office.
  • 2. Patricia Jabbeh Wesley: Patricia Jabbeh Wesley is a renowned poet, writer, and professor of Creative Writing. Her work is influenced by her experiences growing up in Liberia during the civil war, and she has received numerous awards for her poetry.
  • 3. Franklin Obed Siakor: Franklin Obed Siakor is an environmental activist who has played a crucial role in exposing illegal logging practices in Liberia. He won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2006 for his efforts in protecting Liberia’s rainforests.
  • 4. George Kieh: George Kieh is a notable academic and political commentator. He has held various high-ranking positions in academia and has published extensively on the politics and governance of Liberia.
  • 5. Miatta Fahnbulleh: Miatta Fahnbulleh is a popular Liberian singer and actress. She is known for her powerful voice and has released several albums throughout her career.
  • 6. Benoni Urey: Benoni Urey is a businessman and politician who has made significant contributions to Liberia’s political landscape. He ran for the presidency in 2017 and has been involved in several business ventures.
  • 7. Kekura Kamara: Kekura Kamara is a Sierra Leonean journalist and media personality. She is the founder of the Voice of Women Initiative, a platform that amplifies the voices of women in Sierra Leone and beyond.
  • 8. Morris Kallon: Morris Kallon is a former professional footballer from Sierra Leone. He played for various clubs across Europe and represented Sierra Leone in international competitions.
  • 9. Massaquoi Kamara: Massaquoi Kamara, also known as “Jabba Junior,” is a Sierra Leonean comedian and social media influencer. He gained popularity through his comedic skits and has amassed a large following on social media.
  • 10. Safiatu Farma: Safiatu Farma is a Liberian singer-songwriter and philanthropist. She is known for her soulful voice and her dedication to using her music to address social issues in Liberia.
The Kru, Krao, Kroo, or Krou are a West African ethnic group who are indigenous to western Ivory Coast and eastern Liberia. European and American writers often called Kru men who enlisted as sailors or mariners Krumen. They migrated and settled along various points of the West African coast, notably Freetown, Sierra Leone, but also the Ivorian and Nigerian coasts. The Kru-speaking people are a large ethnic group that is made up of several sub-ethnic groups in Liberia and Ivory Coast. In Liberia, there are 48 sub-sections of Kru tribes, including the Jlao Kru. These tribes include Bété, Bassa, Krumen, Guéré, Grebo, Klao/Krao, Dida, Krahn people and Jabo people.

Most Famous Bassa People

Bassa’s Three Pinnacle Historical Inheritances

The Bassa people, also known as the Bassa community, are a vibrant ethnic group in West Africa. With a population of over two million people, they are mainly located in Liberia, where they are one of the largest indigenous groups. The Bassa community also extends to Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire. Their rich cultural heritage is deeply rooted in their historical inheritance, which includes notable contributions to various aspects of society.

Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Bassa heritage:

  • Language: The Bassa people have their own unique language known as Bassa. It is a Niger-Congo language that belongs to the Kru language group. Bassa is spoken primarily in Liberia, where it is one of the national languages, and is also spoken in smaller communities in neighboring countries. The language is characterized by its tonal nature and complex grammatical structure, and efforts have been made to preserve and promote the language through various educational initiatives.
  • Ironworking: The Bassa community has a long-standing tradition of ironworking, which has played a significant role in their cultural and economic development. Ironworking skills have been passed down through generations, and the Bassa people are renowned for their craftsmanship in creating tools, weapons, and various intricate iron structures. The knowledge and techniques associated with ironworking have been instrumental in shaping the cultural identity of the Bassa community.
  • Music and Dance: Music and dance are integral parts of the Bassa heritage. Traditional music is often accompanied by drums, flutes, and string instruments, creating lively rhythms and melodic tunes. Bassa dance forms are characterized by expressive movements and intricate footwork. These vibrant cultural practices are often performed during social and festive occasions, where they serve as a means of storytelling, celebration, and community bonding.

The Bassa community, with its distinctive language, rich ironworking tradition, and vibrant music and dance forms, continues to make significant contributions to the cultural tapestry of West Africa. Their historical inheritances serve as a reminder of the diverse and dynamic nature of the region’s heritage.

Ethnic Factsheet: The Bassa People

Demographics Distribution
Population Approximately 4 million
Region Mainly found in Bassaland, Western Liberia
Language Bassa language
Religion Christianity and Indigenous beliefs
Culture Traditional practices include storytelling, music, and dance
Occupation Primarily engaged in agriculture and fishing
Economy Subsistence farming and small-scale trading
The Bassa people are a West African ethnic group primarily native to Liberia. The Bassa people are a subgroup of the larger Kru people of Liberia and Ivory Coast. They form a majority or a significant minority in Liberia's Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Margibi and Montserrado counties. In Liberia's capital of Monrovia, they are the largest ethnic group. With an overall population of about 1.05 million, they are the second largest ethnic group in Liberia (18%), after the Kpelle people (26%). Small Bassa communities are also found in Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast.
The Bassa speak the Bassa language, a Kru language that belongs to the Niger-Congo family of languages. They had their own pictographic writing system but it went out of use in the 19th century, was rediscovered among the slaves of Brazil and the West Indies in 1890s, and reconstructed in early 1900 by Thomas Flo Darvin Lewis. The revived signs-based script is called Ehni Ka Se Fa.In local languages, the Bassa people are also known as Gboboh, Adbassa or Bambog-Mbog people.

The Ancient Heritage of Bassa Ethnic Groups

References to the Bassa Ethnic Group

The Bassa ethnic group primarily resides in the central region of Liberia, with smaller populations in Sierra Leone. They have a rich cultural heritage, with distinct traditions, language, and customs. If you’re interested in learning more about the Bassa ethnic group, here are some references and resources that can help you delve deeper:

  • Britannica: Britannica provides an overview of the Bassa people, including their history, culture, and language.
  • Every Culture: This resource offers in-depth information about the Bassa ethnic group, encompassing their history, social organization, economy, and more.
  • The Guardian: This article focuses on the influential role of the Bassa people, particularly during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, and highlights their cultural significance.
  • JSTOR: Here, you can find scholarly articles and research papers about the Bassa ethnic group. Topics range from linguistics and folklore to anthropology and history.
  • Academia.edu: This research paper focuses specifically on the sociolinguistic profile of the Bassa-Comriebes from Grand Bassa County in Liberia, shedding light on their unique language patterns and dialects.

By exploring these references and resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of the Bassa ethnic group and their cultural significance in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Delve into the lives of prominent individuals with Asmat, Alutiiq, and African-American roots, illustrating the rich tapestry of ethnic diversity. Exploring the achievements of influential figures tied to these Bassa roots offers valuable insights into the global interplay of cultures and their meaningful contributions to our world.

That concludes the information we can provide about famous Bassa individuals. Thank you for reading.

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