African Heritage Day - Cleveland Cultural Gardens World on Stage
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation 2023 World on Stage events in the Gardens are showcasing various heritages. The first 2023 event was African Heritage Day on July 1, 2023.
MC Sia Nyorkor with Ethiopian coffee
Audience members came from a variety of African countries including Liberia, Ghana, Congo, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia. One attendee from Pretoria, South Africa said, "This is the first time I've felt like home since I came to Cleveland."
There was delicious West African food, an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, drummers, dancers and fun for families.
It was a great day to celebrate the heritage of the Cleveland People from the 54 countries of Africa.
Djapo Cultural Arts Institute dancer
2015
Traditional Liberian Clothing
A highlight of the 6th annual Holiday Celebration of Cleveland's Diversity held in the atrium of the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center by the International Community Council-Worldwide Intercultural Network (ICC-WIN) was the multicultural fashion show.
Ellen M. Yallah…wearing a traditional lapa suit, this design is worn by business women or a wealthy person
Tunapu Zeinway…wearing a traditional with a modern twist design. You can wear it at wedding, church, work, and at Ball
Leon Poah...wearing a Traditional shirt, you can wear it at any event
Martin Meaipa Zeinway..wearing a chief, king, or a leader 3 piece suit. Only people of power or wealth are able to afford it
Naybone.. wearing a traditional with a modern twist outfit. Everyday wear
Representatives from the Liberian community participated in the International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network's (ICC-WIN) 5th annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio. They modeled Liberian costumes at the International Fashion Show which featured traditional costumes of dozens of countries.
Organizations and Resources for Liberian in Cleveland
The mission of the Liberian Association of Cleveland is to seek and provide information and resources that would strengthen the educational, social values, and economic capacities of our members, other individuals residing in our community, the City of Cleveland and the Republic of Liberia, a West African country.
Tell us about the music, food, holidays, traditions, costumes, language and other qualities that make Liberians so special.
In this video, Roseline Hampton (African name is Jatta Kawa) explains some of the foods, utensils and living conditions in her native Liberia. She was at Liberia's 165th Independence Day Celebration in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall.
Liberian History
Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic.
William Tubman, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendents of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior.
In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel Doe ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles Taylor launched a rebellion against Doe's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DoeE himself was killed.
A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought Taylor to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAaylor, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war.
After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to power.
The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) maintains a strong presence throughout the country, but the security situation is still fragile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country continues.
Read more about the Liberian and other Ambassadors. If you are interested in being considered to be an official ClevelandPeople.com Ambassador to the Cleveland Liberian community, please contact us.
