Kpelle people
The Kpelle people (also known as the Guerze, Kpwesi, Kpessi, Sprd, Mpessi, Berlu, Gbelle, Bere, Gizima, or Buni) are the largest ethnic group in Liberia. They are located primarily in an area of central Liberia, extending into Guinea. They speak the Kpelle language, which belongs to the Mande language family.
A Kpelle girl from Liberia, May 1968. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 2 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Liberia | 1,058,448 (20.3%) |
| Guinea | 1,004,475 (7.8%) |
| Ivory Coast | 30,000 |
| Languages | |
| Kpelle, French, English | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Traditional, Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mende people, Kissi people, Loma people, Mano people, Vai people, Kono people, Gbandi people | |
Despite their yearly heavy rainfalls and rough land, Kpelle survive mostly on their staple crop of rice. Traditionally organized under several paramount chiefs who serve as mediators for the public, preserve order and settle disputes, the Kpelle are arguably the most rural and conservative of the major ethnic groups in Liberia.
The Kpelle people are also referred to as Gberese, Gbese, Gbeze, Gerse, Gerze, Kpelli, Kpese, Kpwele, Ngere, and Nguere.