What's It Like Being a Jamaican Living in Liberia?

[@Jamaicans]

Thanks for watching! Are you ready to visit Liberia after watching this video? If you are an expat living in Liberia what's been your experience there? Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a video in the “Jamaicans to the World” series - bit.ly/2yRRCxP

[@tennisthefunway8394]

I am a Liberian married to a Jamaican. I remember my first visit to Jamaica. My reaction was like, I have been here before. We are one people and one love.

[@TheRealguy375]

We have Jamaica 🇯🇲 road in Liberia 🇱🇷. Jamaica & recently Barbados 🇧🇧 are the two Caribbean countries with deep connections to Liberia. There’s been lots of developments in Liberia over the past two years, you’ll love it. Visit the unification park and lots of other places.

[@sarhyonkedeh7795]

I am a Liberian who has been living in the Unites States of America for 20 years. I love that you spoken your brother and he was able to give you a real synosis of the Liberian culture and society which was in itself very good. However, my up bringing in Liberia I grew up with Jamaican born Liberians whose father came from Jamaica as a missionary and my friends of Jamaican parents were born here. But the father and mother from Jamaica. So yes a lot in similarities with Jamaicans African. Africa is the root of the Jamaican people. We are the same no matter what. But thank you and I really enjoyed your show.

[@Inspirenation41]

The first lady of Liberia 🇱🇷 is a Jamaican.. The first settle from Jamaica came to Liberia 🇱🇷 and named the place Jamaica car Road. 🙂 Today that area is a part of our city. We called it Jamaica 🇯🇲 car road.

[@lorrainemason1752]

Potato greens and cassava leaf are two distinct dishes. Potato greens are the leaves of the potato plant and cassava leaf are the green leaves of the cassava/yuca roots. Both are awesome dishes 😋

[@masterx231]

I am a Liberian married to a Jamaican, we lived in between Boston and Jamaica. Every Mango I have seen in Jamaica we have in Liberia 🇱🇷. The most amazing thing is that there are similar plants as if it’s the same land. Not every Liberian goes to the “ Devil Bush” . It’s a society of the traditional people. Now I am from a town called Crozerville in Montserrado County, that town was occupied by Citizens from the Caribbean . My Grandparents came from Barbados. Stephen Rodrigues . You are well learned Gentleman.

[@apgbishop5759]

I am a Liberian living in the States, great content and tell Stephen that we're all African, also there used to be great beaches in Liberia before the Civil War. I really like listening to Stephen talking about Liberian history. I have some Jamaican friends and they are great people.

[@angydolo1438]

Great interview I'm a Liberian living in the UK I miss home so badly I missed the food and Culture liberians are very friendly we love everybody, Stephen you are really enjoying Liberia I am jealous 🤣🤣🤣 I am from Nimba County and I cannot wait to visit home soon I enjoyed the interview thanks will share this with my family and friends on Facebook. 🇱🇷🌍💖🙌🏾👌🏽

[@krisbimba9936]

Great interview.So many similarities between Liberians and Jamaicans.We are one !

[@alllove6874]

Beautiful beautiful interview. But brothers please never make the mistake to say or think Cassava leaves and Potato greens are the same dishes in Liberia. There are also Palava Sauce, Water greens, Spinach and many other greeny or leafy extremely tasty dishes. Bless up. By the way us Liberians absolutely love and admire Jamaica and Reggae

[@vaimende]

I'm a Biracial Liberian, father is English British, and mother is Liberian and Sierra Leonean of mixed Vai and Mende tribes, thanks for sharing this, one of my sisters is also married to a biracial Jamaican and British guy and they have kids. Liberian culture is a mixture of African American and Caribbean culture.

[@bengrant4535]

Nice interview………I’m from Liberia 🇱🇷. I’m from the Kru tribe in the Southeast. There’s a community outside Monrovia on the Bushrod Island called Jamaica Road and this is where the Jamaicans that came to Liberia years back settled. My grand auntie used to live there. Till now there are still Jamaican descendants living there.

[@WinnieSTDixon]

I grew up on Jamaica Road also.

[@sgreen4622]

I dated a Liberian years ago and yes the pepper soup with fufu and the potato greens were my favorite as well. Great interview as always.

[@lavetraharmon8912]

There is a chapter of the UNIA here, so Jamaica and Marcus Garvey are very relevant here today. I’m a black American born and raised in Los Angeles and relocated here 10 years ago. I have locs as do my children and their father is a member of UNIA. We are always called Jamaican by the locals.

[@TheBlackRickGrimes]

My dad is Liberian and he loves Jamaica. He likes to roam the streets while he’s on the island

[@claudiajames923]

Xavier I am St Lucian. I have been listening to your interviews. I've learnt so much from them. My favorite interview so far is the one with Mr. Stephen Rodridques. It was very interesting and informative. Thanks Xavier continue doing these interviews.

[@monjue55]

Liberian goodbye in Pidgin...I gon o......in the Vai dialect....nah tah o. I’m a Liberian based in the States....great interview.

[@s.rodriques4523]

Thanks for this lesson Monjue! I will try it out :-)

[@monjue55]

@@s.rodriques4523 You're welcome..but note there are other variations as well :-

[@nicdav78]

This interview was awesome! My husband and I just came from our first visit to the continent where we stayed in Ghana. We had a wonderful time. We were struck by so many similarities between the country and our home Jamaica. So now I know Liberia needs to be our next visit for comparison in similarities with our home country!

[@gomokollie]

I really enjoyed this interview 🙌🏾 I'm a first generation American born Liberian that just returned from my first visit to Liberia in May. It's ironic because I've visited Jamaica twice, (2008 & 2021), and the similarities really struck me, especially my upbringing😁 I definitely remember the Jamaican Mango, DELICIOUS!! I need to get some seeds so I can plant them in Liberia on my next visit in January🙏🏿

[@s.rodriques4523]

Link me when you come back home Gomo!

[@gomokollie]

@@s.rodriques4523 Will do👍🏿

[@merlenepryce1181]

👍 Great interview with Stephen. I agree Xavier that most of the Jamaicans you interview are from Clarendon and they are great ambassadors for Jamaica. As a Jamaican who has lived in the US for many years and travelled to several countries I never been to the continent but I have studied and done research in African history. I love ❤️ the interviews because there is so much to learn.Thanks for the weekly interviews and best wishes to Stephen an his family.

[@patwahili771]

For real these interviews did help me & prepared me for my trip to Kenya

[@7Fields16]

This was an amazing interview. I am Liberian-born and now live in North Carolina. My great grandparents are from the Caribbean, South Carolina, and some African countries. "It is good bye O."

[@MultiTwos]

We also say “safe journey” to say goodbye.

[@patwilliams7635]

Another great interview. Xavier don’t stop. You allow so many of us to visit countries through this program, that we never knew existed.

[@denjah9224]

Another winner Sir Xavier. My wife and I could actually feel the connection to Liberia as Stephen spoke. It was always on our bucket list so watching the interview really had me starting my research. Thanks again Sir! Nuff Blessings!

[@navigator766]

It's a poor country but we are friendly.

[@pastordeekerccooper5898]

Nice interview . I am a liberian🇱🇷👍🏽living in the united states. I just saw your video. Stay blessed

[@ryanhawkhunter]

Thanks for the show, brother. I really enjoyed the conversation. So "goodbye" in Liberian is just simply " I see you ooo"

[@wellbodisalone]

That was a nice interview to learn more about the country. Greetings from Sierra Leone!

[@doxcb4717]

Wow this is good to know that some of our Maroons were able to return home to the mother land . This interview was so informative

[@samsamesam2619]

Wow, I love your experience shared, hope that this will inspire more people to come visit Mama Liberia. A land free to all.

[@kad449]

Hi Xavier, that is one of my favorite interviews. Your guest is educated, articulate, adventurous, and most importantly, very humble. I love the advice he gave at the end about being open-minded when visiting and about leaving expectations behind. ❤

[@dolphins3291]

Many thanks, Xavier and guest Ricardo! This counts as one of my family's favourite episodes -- the descriptions were *so vivid*, and brought to mind Jamaican scenery that we miss. Although your guest is surely aware of this point, just in case the topic made any of your listeners curious to know more, the "black magic" Ricardo refers to is not necessary "black" as in, negative. Many West African spiritual rituals are for healing, providing guidance for the community, to mediate and reconcile between factions and so forth. Much more is said in Dr. Malidom'a book, "Of Water and the Spirit," for those interested. I remember a Maroon Chief briefly mentioning more about the healing purpose behind the ritual dances of the Maroons, in a documentary once, I have not ben able to find it again, but I'm sure more can be researched on that subject. Thanks again for a great interview! 🎊

[@chino15583]

The connection to Liberia is deep. The President of Liberia"s Son, Timothy Weah was eligible to represent Jamaica in football. He actually represented America and was instrumental in eliminating Jamaica from the world cup.. I wished he had played for us.

[@IamDrDee]

Big up Stephen. Clarendon to the world. We love adventures.

[@s.rodriques4523]

Nuff respect Dr. Dee!

[@EN-ne3hu]

I love the Liberian Cassava leaf....I experienced Liberians in Minnesota and I just love them and thier food...This is such a enjoyable interview.

[@stanleymoumolua1446]

He said cassava leaf, my America girlfriend favorite soup. Shout out to my carriabean folks showing love to my country. 20yrs out of there, I miss it so badly

[@emmanuelsackie160]

I'm a Liberian living in the US. I lived in Palm Beach Florida for 8 years and I always visited Jamaican restaurants because the foods were similar. I currently live in Minnesota where there are so many Liberians and Liberian foods as well but I also miss the Jamaican dishes from Florida because there are not so many Jamaicans in Minnesota.

[@herfamiller139]

Another BIG HIT!!great interview Xavier, thanks for unpacking such great wealth of history...must confess i am addicted to this platform mek mi look forward to Sundays. Keep dem coming bros.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@joielioness1209]

People remember to like and subscribe. I sometimes forget to like even after enjoying an interview. Thanks Xavier another great one. Let’s get him to 1M subscribers.

[@lebo5281]

This was very educational. Descedants of former enslaved people would definitely benefit from visiting Liberia to complete the puzzle.

[@kirkynachulus1024]

Wow, great interview Xavier, it was good to see Stephen again after so many years. Stephen and my brother were classmates at Glenmuir and UWI. Nice to know you are in the motherland. 👍🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@s.rodriques4523]

Good to reconnect Kirky! Thanks for the comments.

[@patwahili771]

Bless up Xavier & Stephen! Very impressive to know Liberian president's wife is Jamaican. Blessing & manners!

[@Handsome.Liberian.African]

Liberia is JA second home. Our first lady is from JA. One lov aal❤❤❤🙌 mi piipl dem

[@markpardea750]

I am a librarian but I left the country a long time ago 1990 when the war broke out been in the United States most of my friends are Jamaican I'm trying to bring the culture to Liberia the food the music Jamaica has a great culture so do Liberia

[@linnettegayle8116]

A very good interview with Stephen, Xavier, I love his encouraging words, I might visit Liberia sometime. Thanks for what you’re doing, 🌹💕

[@TheRealguy375]

I’m a Liberian🇱🇷 living in California and I’m dating a Jamaican 🇯🇲 girl I made a pepper soup and she tried it, it was really spicy for her, but she really liked it and she ate all. I want her to try both cassava leaves and potatoes greens. So far she’s been really amazing and her uncle is really welcoming.

[@abbabee3957]

I agree. Incredible program. Continue to learn alot. Visiting vicariously

[@ericpervist6552]

Superb interview. We are lucky to have a caring President steering the affairs of our great country. H.E. George Manneh Weah certainly love Jamaica and its people. Stephen, thank you for speaking nice of our people. Cheers!!

[@queenj1745]

❤️❤️🖤🖤🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@Yesmyjamaica]

I enjoyed this interview. Thanks much to you both. ❤🇯🇲

[@cecelianelson359]

Stephen, thank you so much for showcasing Liberia. This was an interesting discussion. Xavier keep doing your thing.

[@s.rodriques4523]

Thanks so much Cecelia!

[@theresanichols5556]

Wow another one of my fave interviews at the top of my list of the best.

[@donnacampbell3505]

Enjoy the interview. It was very informative and interesting 👍

[@coreenjohnson5967]

Thank you Stephen for this Liberian experience.

[@s.rodriques4523]

My pleasure Coreen.

[@SammyJ96]

12:08 it's the younger generation who has no knowledge of those dishes. Because when I was a little girl in the country, my grandmother used to cook with the pumpkin leaves. It nice nuh neck back! But until I start hearing about it again, me did forget about it as well.

[@nicholettemcgregor2004]

Mr. Stephen makes Liberia seem so inviting.

[@ileneclark3821]

So many of these interviewers r from Clarendon.I love these interviews. Great job Xavier👍

[@ileneclark3821]

Interviewees

[@barakadukuly2556]

Hi, I'm a Liberian. To clarify thing cassava leaf is different from potato green. Cause I heard him say they sometimes called it cassava leaf or potato green. It is two types of green. Cassava leaf is made out of the leaf of cassava and potato as well.

[@elianedunn1848]

Please note there is no potato leaves in cassava leaf you can add peanut butter to make it the Vai way or fever tea leaf. Potato greens is made with the sweet potato leaves.

[@hannahkaine1169]

Thank you for this informative interview, you both were great, and, Stephen, oh man, you should definitely be a tourist ambassador for Liberia. You spoke frankly about everything and did not make anything up. A little miss up about potatoes greens and cassava leaves, but all was good. I’ll definitely like to try your mangoes. My nephew is married to a Jamaican and they talk about this mangoes all the time. Lol. Thank you and will love to meet you and your wife next time I am in Liberia.

[@korpowashington9142]

Cassava leaf Stew is different from potato greens. Like the name cassava leaf stew is made from the leaves of the cassava, whereas, potatoes greens is made from sweet potato leaves. We have callaloo. It is called careless greens because is grows practically anywhere. We also have four different kinds of mangoes. The mango you are talking about is called German Plum. As for edible green, we have more than fifteen.

[@angelabarrett7576]

Xavier I love these series, blessings bruh

[@hakeemoluwatobisanni5542]

I'm a Liberian,born and raised

[@earllewin9023]

Big up Stephen from May Pen, I can almost see GHS from where I grew up. Great Knowledgeable Interview. One of my Sunday's afternoon programs. Thanks Xavier

[@s.rodriques4523]

Thanks Earl!

[@wrrmonrovia]

Potato greens is the leaf of the sweet potato 🥔 plant.

[@nikakorhone1176]

Cassava leaf is different from potatoes green sis

[@ajohnson3020]

Pretty interesting. .wow Jamaica 🇯🇲 representing

[@eiainepoweli4168]

Big up Clarendon everywhere we go

[@navigator766]

Love from Liberia 🇱🇷 ❤

[@queenj1745]

🖤🖤 from 🇯🇲

[@joystewart7862]

Great interview.. Something needs to done to get you to 50K subscribers..You have been low for too long. Love the program..

[@comforttogbaliberty4505]

Goodbye is' Bye, bye-bye or see you'

[@emmanuelsackie160]

Good bye can be said differently depending on the situation. Formally it's " good bye," informally, it's "good bye o or good bye ya".Good bye to a group is "your bye o or your good bye ya", good bye with attitude is " good bye mehn "

[@MultiTwos]

We also say “safe journey”.

[@truesonofafrica8772]

There's no conutry in the Continent that resembles Jamaican culture than my country The Gambia, when you're in The Gambia, it's felt like you are in Jamaica, we only listen to Jamaican music and some of us even know how to speak patois because we listen so much to Jamaican music! 😊

[@tamaragordon5791]

As a Jamaican I agree

[@queenj1745]

❤️ from Jamaica 🇯🇲

[@Stari220]

One of my Senegal friends told me this about Gambia its similar to Jamaica 🇯🇲

[@coreenjohnson5967]

I’m so addicted to this channel, I can hardly wait for Sunday afternoon to come for me to be on listening to these great interviews.

[@Jamaicans]

Thanks for watching ! We are so happy you enjoyed this episode in the “Jamaicans to the World” series. If you missed any videos they are all located here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZuop6R9a9l_sNU&list=PLt0YTBf5UEoc1-D9XLrtMdespsht1oBLJ

[@angelabarrett7576]

Stephen I concur

[@bullyarena3923]

More like the post transatlantic connection.. Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, USA, Canada(North Buxton), the Caribbean and Brazil..just to name a few.

[@dorretteprince1754]

Another great interview.

[@JamaicaFirstCountryFirst]

Nice I all ways wanted to do business there

[@winnerrwright2618]

The president was send from France 🇫🇷 where played food ball for France. And so he was send to take over the presidential in Liberia because of the situation in Liberia. Jamaican lived everywhere!

[@TheKarenmonique]

Hola Stephen!

[@alethamgbahn4492]

Great 😊 interview

[@yankoiguluma6833]

Jamaica Road, Bushrod Island, Monrovia Liberia. To say bye-bye , Liberian say bye-bye, I see you, or your bye-bye. I am a native. My tribe is Lorma. The language is Lormagui. We say, Dei hana sai ( pronounced as Day yana say ) Bye-bye !

[@hakeemoluwatobisanni5542]

I'm from Liberia born and raised.

[@paula9378-spt]

Wonderful good programming

[@jameswiah4187]

Many Jamaican believed that they are from British colonial Africa but not the case. Most Jamaican are descendants of the kru ethnic group in liberia. The kru were migrant labourers aboard British Naval for their navigational skills, sailors who refused to get captured during the Trans Atlantic slave trade. The kru helped Britain in suppression of the Slave Trade from 1807 to 1833. The were British Naval who helped defeated the Spanish in Xaymaca before it was called Jamaica in the 1700s. The krus are athletes, sportive and very Strong. The president of liberia, George Weah is a kru and the only African to win fifa World player of the year, ballon Do'r, European player of the year etc. Very talented people and I believe Jamaican athletes are descendants of kru.

[@rubyberylgarraway634]

Yes that great .keep it i love to look at it

[@darnyemah6108]

LIB 🇱🇷 Jamaica 🇯🇲

[@cornneldolley7010]

Good bye ✌️ is bye bye in Liberia

[@megganhutchinson1311]

Regarding words common to Jamaica 🇯🇲 I think Africans say Pinckney, nyam

[@AfroJamaican]

Hello all, is this person still in Liberia? I would like to connect

[@mikelesa]

Are the accents of Liberias and jamaicans the same??

[@ptseti]

if you refer to our history as a people you will realize that the only difference that separates us as a people was the port where the ship dropped off its human load. We are ONE family and the sooner we come to realize the better for our community. Until we are ONE our oppressors will continue to divide us

[@johnjeffery5094]

Liberia was established by free African Americans and Caribbeans. Thank you.

[@quinacooper-gibson6858]

Calabash is another similar word.

[@tetajuah6576]

byebye oooo

[@angelabarrett7576]

Pumpkin

[@McdonnellDoewell]

We normally say Let God go ahead of you Bye!

[@jacquiedunn5193]

Sandra Levy Wey u deh?

[@august9006]

Get a map

[@MultiTwos]

Liberians say “safe journey” to say goodbye.

[@jonathabro2129]

This man don’t know too much about Liberia . The First Lady could be the best person to interview

[@elianedunn1848]

I think that Mr. Rodriques did an excellent job as an foreigner to explain our culture. His perspective is very historical and unbiased. Our greens are very numerous and probably one of the few countries to eat the greatest variety of leaves/greens so it is easy for it to confuse a foreigner.