Celebrating Decoration Day in Liberia

Wednesday, March 11 is Decoration Day in Liberia. On Decoration Day Liberians clean and decorate the graves of their ancestors. Also called Memorial Day, Decoration Day combines two different themes. Remembering the deeds done and the ends accomplished, and, in decoration and appreciation, Liberians express gratitude for the sacrifices of past generations.

There is also rejoicing in the pioneering and hope of which Liberians continue to progress. "There is a time to mourn and a time to dance". This is a passage in Ecclesiastes. It is a passage Liberians often cite, where safety and security is sought with the hunger of the famine-stricken. Liberia's 14-year civil war ended in 2003, leaving at least 250,000 dead in a country of 3 million.

Today, 14,000 U.N. peacekeepers patrol, and the government is trying to revive the ruined economy, rebuild roads, and restore electricity. This is supposed to be Liberia's time to heal. On Decoration Day, people will troop to the graveyards to clean and paint the tombs, sometimes adding inscriptions from the Bible or drawing the hand of Jesus. So many people have lost loved ones that today is a very important day for them; and holds much meaning in the country. 

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