Transcript OCAT Liberia v2.9 - Global Resilience System

Directions
• This Operational Cultural Awareness Training (OCAT) Brief in PowerPoint (.ppt)
format is designed primarily for presentation to a group by a facilitator.
• In the .ppt format, the bulk of information can be found in the Notes Section. Slides
contain bulletized summaries of the Notes Section and images supporting the information
presented.
• The facilitator should print out the Notes Pages and read the text aloud while presenting
the slide. Bracketed text is intended as additional information for the facilitator and may
or may not be read/commented on at the facilitator’s discretion.
• To print the Notes Pages: In the menu bar, select “File” and “Print;” a print menu will
appear. On the print menu, in the lower left area under the pulldown tab “Print What,”
select “Notes Pages.”
• If viewing the OCAT individually, it is recommended that the Notes Pages be
viewed/read. To access the Notes Pages, in the menu bar, select “View” and
“Notes Page.”
• Direct questions or comments about this presentation to the Regional Desk Officer
listed on the last slide of this presentation.
Disclaimer
This training is an introduction to cultural norms and is NOT intended to
countermand or supersede current rules of engagement (RoE). RoE are
subject to continuous review and modification in response to strategic
objectives and the dynamic tactical environment. Where ambiguity or
inconsistency exists regarding what you, as an American service member,
should do in a specific situation, consult your chain of command.
The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for
research, comment and information reporting, and are intended for fair use
by designated personnel in their official duties, including local
reproduction for training. A listing of all references and photos used herein
is maintained by CLREC. Further dissemination of copyrighted material
contained in this document, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly
prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code.
Operational Cultural Awareness Training –
Republic of Liberia
Center for Language, Regional Expertise and Culture (CLREC)
A Directorate of the Center for Information Dominance (CID)
Pensacola, Florida
[email protected]
Last Update: June 29, 2012
Version 2.9
Introduction
• The purpose of this Operational Cultural Awareness Training is to familiarize you
with the foreign culture presented.
• For this training, “culture” is defined as “the values, beliefs, behaviors, and norms
that shape and reflect the basic worldview and way of life shared by a group of
people”.
Overview
The following characteristics of the culture and its people will be presented:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Geography
History
Peoples and Ethnic Groups
Language
Religious Influences
Society and Norms
Behavior and Etiquette
Cultural Summary
Geography
• West African nation bordering Atlantic Ocean
• Slightly larger than Ohio
• 360 miles of Atlantic coastline
• Abundant rainforest
• Liberia’s capital city is Monrovia (1.1M)
Geography (Continued)
• Tropical climate; African heat and humidity
• Heaviest rainfall on the coast
• Rainy season May to October
• Dry season winds and airborne dust
History
• Centuries of native migration into the area
• Portuguese explorers arrived in 1461
• Trade with Europeans; transatlantic slave trade
• American Colonization Society (ACS)
• Freed slaves first arrived as settlers in 1820
• First settlement in Christopolis, now Monrovia
• First independent African nation (1847)
Seal of the Republic of Liberia
Joseph Jenkins Roberts
1809-1876
West African Peppers
History (Continued)
• Early conflict between settlers and natives
• Relations marked by ethnocentrism
• Long-term Americo-Liberian control
• Group identity and class distinctions persist
• Africa’s first female President 2006
Africa’s 1st Female President –
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
1880 Drawing Depicting Refugees In New York
City Awaiting Transportation to Liberia
Early Map of Liberia
Peoples and Ethnic Groups
• 16 ethnic groups comprise 97% of the population
• Largest tribes are the Kpelle (20%), Bassa (14%)
• Numerous smaller native ethnic groups
• Americo-Liberian descendents make up about 5%
Masks Traditionally Worn by
Bassa Dancers
Mandingo People
(Muslim)
Dancer from Lofa
Language
• English is the official language
• Government, media, business, education
• Main language spoken in urban areas
• Used between different native groups
• Other languages belong to 1 of 3 groups
• Mande (in northern Liberia)
• Kwa (in the southeast)
• Mel (in the central area)
• Pidgin English popular
•
•
•
•
How de body? (Greeting)
De body fine! (Response)
“Come le go” = “Come on, let’s go”
“You wait small” = “Wait a minute”
UN Peacekeeping Soldier in Liberia (UNMIL)
Leading Language Lesson
Religious Influences
• Christianity is the dominant religion
• 85% Christian
• 12% Muslim
• Bible’s teachings closely adhered to
• Most Liberian Muslims are moderate Sunnis
• Believers maintain traditional African beliefs
Christian Choir in Monrovia
Female Muslim (Mandingo Tribe) from
Bakaidou, Lofa, Liberia
Religious Influences (Continued)
• What is traditional African religion?
•
•
•
•
•
Belief in a Supreme Being – God
God dwells both near to Man and far away
Soul is immortal; life after death
Spiritual intermediaries exist between God and Man
Belief in mystical powers that can be tapped by humans
• Connections with traditional medicine and practices
• Traditional religion is NOT nature worship
• Traditional religion is NOT based on magical practices
A Variety of “Charms” Being Worn
Religious Influences (Continued)
• Traditional beliefs are a powerful force in society
• Secret societies are power associations
• Bonds of solidarity and a spirit of cooperation exist
Masquerades Depict Spirits
Graduation Day from Bush
School
Sande Society Initiation
Society and Norms
Family and Family Values
• Family and social connections extremely important
• “I am” because “We are”
• Family members help each other
• Family includes non-blood relatives
• Elderly are highly respected
A Liberian Family near Salala
Society and Norms (Continued)
Gender Roles
• Traditional family roles are the norm
• Women handle household and childcare duties
• Men expected to be the main breadwinners
• Women work harder than men in general
Young People at Work
Society and Norms (Continued)
Dress and Appearance
• T-shirts, jeans, sneakers common for men
• Western clothing common in urban areas
• African boubou shirt common in rural areas
• Urban and rural women wear a lappa
• Head wraps common
• Jeans or skirts for women in urban areas
• Professional setting
• Suit and tie for men
• Blouse, skirt and heels for women
Society and Norms (Continued)
Housing
• Mud brick or mud stick structures
• Thatched, tile or metal roofing
• Cement in expensive urban homes
• Apartments rare
• Electricity rare
Frame of New Mud-Stick House
Society and Norms (Continued)
Utilities and Public Services
• No electrical grid, most roads aren’t paved
• Limited access to improved water and sanitation
• Water quality a cause of major health problems
• Generator power available
A Source of Drinking Water near Gbolokai, Liberia
Society and Norms (Continued)
Wealth and Poverty
• Chronic unemployment and underemployment
• Public employees not paid regularly
• Dependence on subsistence farming
• Overweight people considered wealthy
• Land rich in natural resources
Cassava Root
Society and Norms (Continued)
Class Differences
• Division between Americo-Liberian descendants and native majority
• Native groups also divided into “civilized” (urban) and “native” (rural) cultures
• Class differences less important than one’s tribal background and social connections
Rural Blacksmith Making Farming Tools
Washing Laundry in the Lofa River,
Bakaidou, Liberia
Society and Norms (Continued)
Literacy and Education
• Children required attend school from age 6-16
• Insufficient number of schools and teachers
• Rural schools lack basic resources
• Overcrowded classrooms and underpaid teachers
• Many families can only send one child to school
• Cost of books and supplies prevent attendance
• Poverty main obstacle to good education
• Few females attend school
Society and Norms (Continued)
Medicinal and Healing Practices
• Public hospitals operate only in urban areas
• Public hospitals may lack modern equipment
• Private hospitals expensive
• Low life-expectancy rates
• Female genital mutilation still practiced
Under-5’s are High Risk
Female Doctor Performing an Operation
Liberian Women Training to Become
Traditional Midwives
Society and Norms (Continued)
Medicinal and Healing Practices (Continued)
• Consulting traditional native healers common
• Patients typically use traditional healing methods first
• Illness often associated with revenge or voodoo
• Jungle herbs, exotic teas, powders and acupuncture
Rural Native Healer
Traditional Midwife Wearing
Health Credentials
Society and Norms (Continued)
Crime, Vice and Trafficking in Persons
• High crime rate
• Police incapable of providing protection
• Business fraud targeted at foreigners
• Drug and diamond transshipment point
Liberian Police Emergency Response Team
Society and Norms (Continued)
Crime, Vice and Trafficking in Persons (Continued)
• IAW UCMJ U.S. armed forces and DoD civilians prohibited from engaging in any
form of prostitution
• Source, transit, and destination country for trafficked women and children
• Most victims trafficked from within the country
• Displaced children at risk
Society and Norms (Continued)
Recreation
• Popular sports
•
•
•
•
•
Soccer
Basketball
Volleyball
Table tennis
Handball
Children at Play
• Popular recreational activities
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Checkers and scrabble
Billiards
Hopscotch and marbles
Hide and seek games
Visiting bars
Visiting the beach
Movies
Music and dancing
Society and Norms (Continued)
Arts
• Rich cultural heritage of music and dance
• Music and dance impart life lessons
• Tribal song groups and choirs
• Music adds life
Village Masquerade and Dance
Musical Game Similar to Musical Chairs
Society and Norms (Continued)
Holidays
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
New Year’s Day
Armed Forces Day
Decoration Day
Joseph Jenkins Roberts’ Birthday
Fast and Prayer Day
National Unification Day
African Liberation Day
National Independence Day
National Flag Day
Thanksgiving Day
William V.S. Tubman’s Birthday
Christmas Day
Tending to a Grave on Decoration Day
1 January
11 February
2nd Wednesday in March
15 March
2nd Friday in April
14 May
25 May
26 July
24 August
Late November
29 November
25 December
Independence Day Celebration
Children’s Chorus on Unification Day
Behavior and Etiquette
Introductions, Meeting and Greeting
• Greetings socially important; greetings taken very seriously
• Ask sincerely about another’s health and family
• “What is your tribe?” is a typical greeting
• Friends and strangers often greet each other
Liberian Family at Home
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Introductions, Meeting and Greeting (Continued)
• Unusual handshake called “snapshake”
• Some groups only shake hands within same age group
• Younger people may bow in some ethnic groups
• Women often embrace each other
Liberian Snap Handshake
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Introductions, Meeting and Greeting (Continued)
• Many local chieftaincies and sub-chieftaincies
• Always present yourself to local leaders and Chiefs
• Small gifts customarily given to village elders
Village Palaver Hut (Meeting Place)
Rural Paramount Chief
Village Elder
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Non-Verbal Communications
• Hand or accept objects with right hand or both hands
• Men offer seat to elderly or pregnant women
• Same gender may hold hands in public
• Sign of friendship
• Other public displays of affection are inappropriate
• Impolite to beckon someone with the index finger
• Snapping the fingers to get someone’s attention
OK
Proper Beckoning Gesture
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Social Engagements and Visiting
• Hospitality culture; visiting reinforces social bonds
• Pride in slaughtering a goat when entertaining
• Hosts offer visitors water, palm wine, or kola nuts
• Hosts may give visitors a small gift upon departure
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Food and Dining
• Cooking considered a labor of love
• Goat soup and many unique foods
• Ginger beer and palm wine
• Often served to guests
• Very high alcohol content
• Cassava, palm butter, peppers, onions, okra
Typical Liberian Meal Includes Rice
Hot, Spicy Food
Shortbread Seller
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Food and Dining (Continued)
• Staple foods are rice and fufu
• Liberians say there has been no meal unless rice is served
• Eat using right hand from communal plate or bowl
Women Selling Fufu in Village
Market
Anniversary Cake, 15 Jan 2007
Rice Being Pounded
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Conversational Etiquette
• Don’t interrupt a speaker
• Listen to what is being said
• Wait until it is your turn to speak
Good topics of conversation:
•
•
•
•
Family
Health
Rainfall and crop rotation
Natural beauty of the country
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Other Situational Etiquette
• Always carry in-country travel papers
• Never laugh at, or make fun of host nationals
• Create lasting partners
• Don’t let your agenda bowl over local practices
Rural Roads are Usually Unpaved
Nigerian Soldier with the UN Speaks with a Civilian
Behavior and Etiquette (Continued)
Other Situational Etiquette (Continued)
• Street vendors may be stubbornly persistent
• To “eat someone’s eyeball” is to cheat or scam them in a deal
• Avoid being a victim in public marketplaces
• Cash-only economy
Most Street Vendors Are Honest
Street Market in Kakata
Cultural Summary
• Land of the Free; Africa’s first female President
• Family and kinship groups very important
• Social connections vital
• Families support each other through hardship
• Tribal connections are stronger than political boundaries
• Christian majority; moderate Islamic minority
• Sincerely greeting others is very important
• Take to time to meet and greet people individually
• Present yourself to local civil and military leaders
• Ask about family, health, national sports teams, local sites
• Don’t let your agenda bowl over local practices
CLREC Contact
[email protected]
COMM: 850.452.6736
DSN: 922.6736