Our Story
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The Kru/Krao Coast Heritage Initiative was born out of a chance meeting and a shared passion for silenced histories. Our team, brought together by a common vision, includes researchers, citizens, community leaders, scholars, and activists committed to understanding and preserving Kru cultural heritage in Sinoe County.
Our journey began when Megan met Prince and Chris in June 2023 in Greenville, Liberia through mutual acquaintances. Through our combined efforts on both sides of the Atlantic, we forged connections that transcended disciplinary boundaries, educational levels, and geographical distances. It was during these long-distance discussions that the seeds of our initiative were planted through a WhatsApp message that read: "our archaeology, our coast, our heritage." Generous funding from the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, the Texas A&M University Department of Anthropology, and the Society for Postmedieval Archaeology allowed us to continue working on the ground in Liberia during December 2023, March 2024, and Summer 2024. As our conversations have deepened, we have recognized a glaring gap in maritime historical scholarship and representation of Liberian and Kru history: the absence of Indigenous voices in the narrative and the absence of archaeological study in Sinoe County. We also recognize the immense potential to create a really transformative project in the region, especially in historical education. The story of the Kru (Krao/Klao) has most often been told using European and American documents as the primary source material. Motivated by a desire to change this, we employ innovative interdisciplinary approaches in historical archaeology, looking at settlement patterns, trade routes and markets, and land use over time. Through archaeology and oral history, we aim not only to change, challenge, and add to the documentary record but to answer research questions that cannot otherwise be answered. By privileging Indigenous Liberian perspectives, we bridge academic and community interests to build heritage preservation capacities in Sinoe County. Together we hope to honor and amplify the voices of Indigenous Kru historians to tell these stories in their own words. We are currently working on making our initiative sustainable through community involvement. Do you have ideas, suggestions, or want to take a leadership role in this history-making? Head to our Contact Page and get in touch! |
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