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Top 10 Celebrities Embracing Lorma Roots

5 min read January 23, 2024

The Lorma are an ethnic group indigenous to Liberia and Sierra Leone. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Liberia, making up approximately 14% of the population. The Lorma are known for their rich cultural heritage, including their unique language, music, and cuisine. Here are ten of the most popular celebrities and notable people from the Lorma ethnicity:

  • Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: The first female president of Liberia, serving from 2006 to 2018. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her contributions to peace and democracy in Liberia.
  • Bai T. Moore: A Liberian politician and diplomat who served as the 18th President of Liberia from 1971 to 1980.
  • C. Patrick Seyon: A Liberian politician who served as the 21st President of Liberia from 1984 to 1990.
  • Harry Greaves: A Liberian-American former professional basketball player who played for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
  • Musu Thompson: A Liberian-American actress and model who has appeared in several films and television shows, including “The Good Wife” and “The Following”.
  • OJ Watson: A Liberian-American football player who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Rams in the National Football League (NFL).
  • Varney Sherman: A Liberian lawyer and politician who served as the 40th President of the Liberian Senate from 2011 to 2014.
  • Jewel Howard-Taylor: A Liberian politician who served as the 24th Vice President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018.
  • George Weah: A Liberian politician and former professional footballer who is the current President of Liberia. He was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1995, becoming the first African to win the award.
  • James “Big Bad John” Merritt: A Liberian-American professional boxer who held the WBA heavyweight title from 1986 to 1987.
Liberia ( ), officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and southwest. It has a population of around 5 million and covers an area of 43,000 square miles (111,369 km2). The country's official language is English; however, over 20 indigenous languages are spoken, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. The capital and largest city is Monrovia. Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the American Colonization Society (ACS), which believed black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States. Between 1822 and the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, more than 15,000 freed and free-born African Americans, along with 3,198 Afro-Caribbeans, relocated to Liberia. Gradually developing an Americo-Liberian identity, the settlers carried their culture and tradition with them. Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, which the U.S. did not recognize until February 5, 1862. Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa's first and oldest modern republic. Along with Ethiopia, it was one of the two African countries to maintain its sovereignty and independence during the European colonial "Scramble for Africa". During World War II, Liberia supported the United States war effort against Germany, and in turn received considerable American investment in infrastructure, which aided the country's wealth and development. President William Tubman encouraged economic and political changes that heightened the country's prosperity and international profile; Liberia was a founding member of the League of Nations, United Nations, and the Organisation of African Unity. The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered. Colonial settlements were raided by the Kru and Grebo from their inland chiefdoms. Americo-Liberians formed into a small elite that held disproportionate political power; indigenous Africans were excluded from birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904.In 1980, political tensions from the rule of William R. Tolbert resulted in a military coup during which Tolbert was killed, marking the end of Americo-Liberian rule in the country and beginning over two decades of political instability. Five years of military rule by the People's Redemption Council and five years of civilian rule by the National Democratic Party of Liberia were followed by the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars. These resulted in the deaths of 250,000 people (about 8% of the population) and the displacement of many more, with Liberia's economy shrinking by 90%. A peace agreement in 2003 led to democratic elections in 2005.

Most Famous Lorma People

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Lorma Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Lorma community is a vibrant and culturally rich group of people who reside in the northern part of the Philippines. Known for their deeply-rooted traditions and warm hospitality, the Lorma people take pride in their historical inheritances that have been passed down through generations. Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Lorma heritage:

  • Lorma Language: One of the most significant aspects of the Lorma heritage is their distinct language. The Lorma language, also known as Inibaloi, belongs to the Austronesian family and is primarily spoken by the Lorma people in the province of La Union. The language is characterized by its unique vocabulary and grammar, which sets it apart from other Filipino dialects. Despite the influence of the national language, Filipino, the Lorma community has made efforts to preserve and promote the use of the Lorma language, keeping their linguistic heritage alive.
  • Lorma Crafts: Another remarkable inheritance of the Lorma heritage is their exquisite craftsmanship. The Lorma people are known for their skillful artistry in various handicrafts, including weaving, pottery, and wood carving. These handicrafts reflect the rich cultural traditions of the Lorma community and are prized for their intricate designs and attention to detail. Lorma weavers, in particular, create beautiful textiles using traditional methods and patterns, showcasing the community’s commitment to preserving their cultural heritage through their crafts.
  • Lorma Festivals: The Lorma community celebrates several festivals that highlight their cultural and historical roots. One of the most prominent festivals is the Lorma Day Festival, held annually to commemorate the founding of the Lorma town. During this festival, the community comes together to showcase their traditions through colorful parades, cultural performances, and traditional cuisine. The Lorma Day Festival serves as a reminder of the community’s strong ties to their heritage and provides an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to appreciate and participate in the Lorma culture.
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The Lorma community takes great pride in their historical inheritances, which serve as a testament to their rich cultural traditions. From their unique language to their exquisite crafts and lively festivals, the Lorma people have successfully preserved and celebrated their heritage throughout the years. As the community continues to pass down these historical inheritances to future generations, the Lorma legacy will undoubtedly thrive and remain an integral part of their identity.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Mano, Gio and Grebo roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

Ethnic Factsheet: The Lorma People

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Demographics and Distribution
Population 10,000
Region Luzon
Province La Union
City/Municipality San Juan
Barangay 10
The Loma people, sometimes called Loghoma, Looma, Lorma or Toma, are a West African ethnic group living primarily in mountainous, sparsely populated regions near the border between Guinea and Liberia. Their population was estimated at 330,000 in the two countries in 2010. They are closely related to the Mende people.The Loma speak a language in the Southwestern branch of the Mande languages, belonging to the Niger-Congo family of languages. The language is similar to the Kpelle, Mende, Vai, and Bandi languages. The Loma refer to their language as Löömàgòòi [lɔːmàɡòːi] or Löghömàgòòi [lɔɣɔmàɡòːi]). The Loma people, led by Wido Zobo and assisted by a Loma weaver named Moriba, developed a writing script for their language in the 1930s. This writing script contains at least 185 characters.The Mandinka, Koniaka, and Kissi refer to the Loma as Toma. Loma refer to themselves as Löömàgìtì (IPA: [lɔːmàɡìtì], or Löghömagiti [lɔɣɔmaɡiti] in Guinea). They have retained their Traditional Religion, and resisted the Islamic jihads. The Loma people called the religious conflict with Mandinka people as a historic 'rolling war'.The Loma people are notable for their large wooden masks that merge syncretic animal and human motifs. These masks have been a part of their Poro secret rites of passage. The largest masks are about six feet high, contain feather decorations and believed by Loma to have forest spirits.The Loma people farm rice, but in shifting farms. They are exogamous people, with patrilineal social organization in matters related to inheritance, succession and lineage affiliations with one-marriage rule. Joint families, or virilocal communities are common, wherein families of brothers settle close to each other.The Loma people are also referred to as Buzi, Buzzi, Logoma, Toale, Toali, Toa, or Tooma.

The Ancient Heritage of Lorma Ethnic Groups

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References to the Lorma Ethnic Group

Here are some references and resources to dig deeper into the Lorma ethnic group:

Exploring these references and resources will provide a deeper understanding of the Lorma ethnic group, their history, values, social structures, and cultural practices.

We have reached the end of our exploration into the extraordinary lives of prominent Lorma. We hope this journey has been enlightening and inspiring.

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Syarif Muhamad

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