Published: June 10, 2025
GBARNGA, Bong County — Drumbeats, colorful traditional attire and powerful storytelling filled the David Kuyon Sports Stadium on June 6 as hundreds gathered for Liberia’s 2025 National Cultural Festival.
With the theme “Celebrating Culture and Empowering Change,” the event brought together people from across the country—not just to honor heritage, but to promote a cultural shift toward gender equality, dignity, and social progress.
Organized by ActionAid Liberia in partnership with the Government of Liberia, the Ministries of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Internal Affairs—and supported by the Swedish Embassy—the event welcomed traditional leaders, youth groups, community advocates and development partners.
Culture as Catalyst
One of the highlights of the festival was a dance competition featuring performers from Bong, Grand Gedeh, Montserrado and Gbarpolu counties. Each group showcased local customs through rhythm, song and costume.
Traditional storytelling also took center stage, as elders shared folktales rich with generational wisdom that resonated with today’s challenges and aspirations.
Delivering the keynote address, Jesedeh Gbarzon, president of the Rural Women of Grand Gedeh County, called on religious and traditional leaders to defend cultural values that protect human dignity—and reject those that harm women and children.
She urged the Ministries of Gender and Internal Affairs to collaborate on a national plan to end harmful traditional practices, while praising ActionAid and its partners for programs that have improved the lives of women in the four participating counties.
Calls for Collective Action
Elizabeth Gbad Johnson, country director of ActionAid Liberia, said the festival was about more than celebration.
“This was not just about celebrating culture,” she said. “It was about helping people understand its power to drive real social change.”
She announced that more than 400 rural women are currently benefiting from the Just and Equal Community Project—a loan program supporting women’s economic independence.
Kerkura Kamara, Liberia’s national culture ambassador, also addressed the gathering, calling on young people to reconnect with positive traditions, especially those that promote respect for women and communal values.
“In the past, men were raised to honor women. These values must return if we are to end gender-based violence,” Kamara said.
The festival also received strong support from Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, Gbarnga City Mayor Gallah Varpilah and traditional leaders from across the region.
Community Reflections
Several attendees described the festival as both uplifting and educational.
“This wasn’t just entertainment—it was education,” said Yatta Kollie, a youth from Bong County. “We need more of these festivals in every county.”
Martha Dolo, a women’s group member from Grand Gedeh, added: “I understand now that culture is meant to lift us up, not bring us down.”
Samuel Mulbah, a teacher from Montserrado County, said the event made the link between tradition and human rights clear. “This should become an annual event,” he said.
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