Vintage Mandingo Chief & sword bearer-Liberia Poster

The history of Liberia is unique among African nations because of its relationship with the United States. It is one of the few countries in Africa, and the only country in West Africa, without roots in the European Scramble for Africa. It was founded and colonised by freed American slaves with the help of a private organisation called the American Colonisation Society in 1821-1822, on the premise that former American slaves would have greater freedom and equality there. The Kpelle, Gio, Mano, Mandingo and Vai groups migrated from the Empire of Mali for various reasons. Some escaping political intrigue others looking for a better life. The vais are settled in grand cape Mount county in the west of Liberia. They were the first to invent a form of writing in 1833 or 1834.