Krahn is an ethnic group of Liberia and Cote dIvoire. This group belongs to the Kru language family and its people are sometimes referred to as the Wee, Guéré, Sapo, or Wobe.[6] It is likely that Western contact with the Kru language is the primary reason for the development of these different names.[7] The term Krahn may also be applied to denote the language spoken by this ethnic group. The Krahn arrived in the area known as Liberia as part of early sixteenth century migrations from the north-east and what is now the Republic of Ivory Coast.[8] This migration occurred due to pressure on local populations resulting from an emigration of Western Sudan tribes after the decline of medieval empires, as well as an increase in regional tribal wars.[9] During this timeframe, the African slave trade was becoming more prominent within Liberia. Although some Kru tribes faced capture by Westerners, it was more common for the Krahn and other coastal peoples in Liberia to serve as local traders, brokering deals within the Western slave market. The Kru were so opposed to slavery within their own tribe members that many committed suicide rather than face enslavement.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 19:56:25 +0000
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