Suah Koko

Suah Koko (also known as Suacoco, Madam Suakoko and Nye-Sua Coco[1]) was an indigenous Liberian ruler who lived between the late 19th and early 20th century. She fought several battles against the expansionary Liberia Frontier Force before entering negotiations to grant accession of the territory she ruled over to the Liberian government. She later became a paramount chief and supplied porters to the Harvard Medical African Expedition (1926–1927).

Suah Koko
Bornc. 1850[1]
Diedc. 1934[1]
OccupationChieftain

Biography

While the exact date of her birth is unknown, it is estimated that Suah Koko was born around 1850. She was likely born in Ngalensu, part of the former Kornyea-Komu District. Her name, "Koko", is an uncommon Kpelle name that is traditionally given to the fifth female child born to a mother in former French Guinea. After attending a Sande society initiation school, she was given the name "Suah" or "Suaa", which was shared with her mother and is also a title given to someone who has accomplished a noteworthy achievement in the Sande society. "Nye", an additional title, means "mother" in the Kpelle language and was used by her followers as a sign of respect.[1]

Suah Koko ruled a polity in north central Liberia, including land within modern Bong County, which was governed from her residence at Suakoko.[2] The territory was then known as "Kiayeah", or "area of the united people" in Kpelle, and was previously called "Kornyea-Komu", or "the hills area".[1] In the early 20th century the Liberia government sought to expand its influence beyond the narrow 40-mile (64 km) strip over which it had previously ruled. This required making inroads into the "hinterland," which was ruled by the indigenous people. Chief Suah Koko fought several battles against the Liberia Frontier Force but eventually entered negotiations to provide her land to the Liberian government.[2] Her land provided strategic access to other regions of the hinterland – an army barracks was constructed at Sergeant Kollile Ta, 2 mi (3.2 km) north of Suakoko and proved valuable during the subsequent conquest of the upper reaches of Bong County, Lofa County and Nimba County.[2][3]

In 1926, Suah Koko met with Richard P. Strong of the Harvard Africa Expedition at Suakoko.[4] At the time she was said to be the only female indigenous ruler in the country.[5] Her age was estimated at 60–70 years.[5]

In 1929, she was appointed a paramount chief – the first female to be so titled within the Central Province (Nimba, Bong and Lofa counties). Being almost blind, she ruled through her grandson. She sided with the government in its war with the Kpelle people.[6][7][8]

Notably, she was one of the few Liberian national heroes who never converted to Christianity and continued to practice traditional African religion.[1]

Legacy

A district, chiefdom and clan are named in honor of Suah Koko, and her descendants granted more than 1,000 acres (400 ha) of land to the Cuttington University, which named a scholarship in her honour.[9] However, in 2013, the program was suspended, which resulted in mass protests by students.[10]

The Chief Suah Koko Center for Rural Women's Empowerment in Bong County was built by the Angie Brooks International Center for Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security. It was dedicated in June 2014 by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.[7][3][11] It is located on Cuttington University's main campus.[12]

References
  1. Nevin, Timothy D. L. (1 September 2017). "In Search of the Historical Madam Suakoko: Liberia's Renowned Female Kpelle Chief". Journal of West African History. 3 (2): 1–38. doi:10.14321/jwestafrihist.3.2.0001. JSTOR 10.14321/jwestafrihist.3.2.0001. S2CID 166027910. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  2. "Chief Suah Koko: A Historic Figure". A Liberian Journey History, Memory, and the Making of a Nation. Center for National Documents and Records Agency. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  3. "Chief Suah Koko: People's Defender & Peacemaker". A Liberian Journey History, Memory, and the Making of a Nation. Center for National Documents and Records Agency. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  4. "The Harvard African Expedition meets Chief Suah Koko". A Liberian Journey History, Memory, and the Making of a Nation. Center for National Documents and Records Agency. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  5. "Chief Suah Koko, A Woman of Power". A Liberian Journey History, Memory, and the Making of a Nation. Center for National Documents and Records Agency. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  6. "Suah Koko and Gbanga". The Geographical Journal. Royal Geographical Society. 73: 222. 1929.
  7. "The Outstanding Madam Suah Koko". Daily Observer. 11 June 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  8. "Nimba County Profile". Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  9. "Diplomatic Ties". A Liberian Journey History, Memory, and the Making of a Nation. Center for National Documents and Records Agency. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  10. Singbah, Philip T. (18 September 2013). "Liberia: Madam Suakoko Scholarship Suspension". The Analyst. Monrovia. The Central Liberian city of Gbarnga was the scene where hundreds of disenchanted students took to the streets and ended at the main administrative seat of the local county leadership, the Gbarnga Administration Building, protesting the suspension of the Madam Suakoko Scholarship program.
  11. Chea-Annan, Melissa (10 June 2014). "Liberian Women Remember Chief Suacoco". Monrovia Inquirer. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  12. "Chief Suah Koko's Legacy". liberianhistory.org. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
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