Liberia has a strong connection to the United States in that it was founded by former slaves in 1822. Although Liberia had existed as an independent African nation and a symbol of hope to the African peoples under the rule of various colonial powers, its recent history has been bedeviled by a prolonged upheaval following a military coup d'etat in 1980. In this context, the narrative highlights the distinctiveness of Liberians in their negotiation of traditional indigenous and modern practices, and the changes wrought by Christianity and Western influences.

The theme of the Nigerian Academy of Letter's Annual Convocation in August 15 - 17, 2013 was Nigeria's Cultural Tapestry. The lead paper in this volume by Professor Ayodeji Olukoju is the key lecture delivered at that Convocation, at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, on August 15, while the second lecture, under the same theme by Professor (Mrs.) Eno-Abasi Urua, was delivered at the same Convocation on August 15, 2013. The third lecture by Professor Chidi T. Maduka was delivered at the Scientific Session of the Nigerian Academy of Letters' Annual Convocation, August 8- 10, 2012, at...