8 July 2009
Is it a moment that is likely to down forward in the hearts of the present leadership of the National Traditional Council of Liberia (NTCL) as it prepares to bring together dozens of other traditional leaders from the length and breadth of Liberia and other countries of the West African Basin.
As the NTCL gets set to officially open its new offices in Sinkor, several traditional leaders from the 17 countries that comprise the West African sub-region are expected in the country.
It will be the first mammoth convergence of traditional leaders in recent history from neighboring countries in Monrovia to commemorate a program intended to pay tribute to heritage and bestow great honor to Liberia's lost traditional beliefs.
Addressing a press conference yesterday at the yet-to-be-opened office, the Chairman of the NTCL, Chief Zanzar Kawah said the dedication and opening program will take place on July 17, which is one week from now on.
Apart from pulling traditional colleagues from the sub-region, he has indicated also that they have invited all the traditionalists from Liberia 's fifteen counties here in Monrovia for the program. The total number of traditionalists expected to attend the program, according to him, is put at 700. "We have invited all of them to be here for the opening of this office," he said.
The official dedication and grand opening of the offices of the NTCL will go down as a genuine recognition of the value and significance of the heritage of the country, observers have said.
The office of the NTCL is in an ideally situated building overlooking the 24th Street enclave of Sinkor, few yards away opposite the Samuel Stryker Funeral Homes. The building was secured by Carter Center at the cost of US$25,000 as yearly rentals. The Carter Center is one of the many international organizations working to restore peace and sanity to Liberia.
During the official opening and dedication of the offices of the NTCL, the Liberian flag as well as flags of the fifteen counties will be hoisted. Already the poles the flags of the country's fifteen counties will be displayed flying above the fence to the building have been planted, waiting the flags they will accommodate as long as the building will be used by the NTCL.
"All Liberians must join us in these efforts and no body must be left behind,' Chief Kawah told reporters yesterday during the packed press conference. The NTCL chairman began his statement by thanking President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Internal Affairs Ambullai Johnson for being instrumental in articulating the welfares of the traditional people of Liberia.
It was clamorous occasion that brought the entire council members together with all of them garbed in fine traditional outfits depicting the uniqueness and elegance of Liberian traditional attires. There was a mind-moving side attraction to the program as traditional Vai songs by three ladies backed by sounds from their sassa entertained the traditional chiefs before the start of the program.
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The NTCL should become an annual event to celebrate the role that tribalism plays in the history and everyday life of Liberians. I personally would call this event THE GRAND PALAVAR and I would hold this during the month when THE PORO SANDE have their mass graduations of youth. This could become a colorful NATIONAL HOLIDAY that could attract tourist from all over the world and unique to Liberia being the only nation in Africa never conquered by Europeans, giving each tribe a purity not found in any other part of Africa save Ethiopia. I hope that the NTCL begins… [Read Full Text]