1. Etymology

2. Evolution of the term

3. Religious usage

4. References

Etymology

The term kwi has roots in the Kpelle word kwi-nuu (foreigner or civilized person).^[3] The Kpelle tribal members defined kwi as a person who spoke fluent English and wore Western attire. They also associated kwi status with Monrovia, Liberia's capital city, which they referred to kwi-taa (foreigner town or civilized town).

The Kru tribe also used the term kwi to identify the Americo-Liberian settlers - many of whom were mulattoes - and it was the same word that Krus used to describe whites.^[4]

Evolution of the term

The term was first used in the 1800s by indigenous Africans to identify Americo-Liberian settlers and any other foreigners as outsiders not indigenous to the area. However, the term was adopted by Americo-Liberians as a synonym for civilized.^[5][6] Indigenous Africans later adopted the new definition as a result of missionary education and labor migration along Liberia's coast.^[7]

Before the Liberian Civil War, the most important feature of Liberian social stratification was civilization, with kwi status as the determining factor.^[8]

Kwi status was defined by Americo-Liberians by family background, education, church membership (particularly in a mainstream Protestant denomination), and other social relationships.^[9] Kwi status became a prerequisite for a favored position among the Americo-Liberian elite, where indigenous Africans were often sponsored by Americo-Liberian families to acquire kwi status and advance in Liberian society.

Religious usage

In a religious context, the term kwi connotes a style of worship of a particular Christian church which is marked by formality and decorum.^[10] Services in churches considered to be non-kwi have more outward spiritualist expression, with dancing and even street processions in colorful costumes as key elements. Non-kwi churches also have self-proclaimed prophets who interpret dreams and visions, and prioritize a direct experience with the Holy Spirit. Liberia's educated elite have historically regarded the apostolic churches as churches of the uneducated and thus non-kwi.^[11]

References

• JK Kuressaare
• J. Klahr Huddle
• JKL (disambiguation)
• JKL Museum of Telephony
• JK Loo
• J.K. Lord
• J. K. M. A. Aziz
• J. K. MacCurdy
• J. K. Mason
• JK Memorial
• J&K Mob Lynching 2017
• J. K. Mozley
• JK Mullen
• JK Narva Trans II
• J. Knot Theory Ramif.
• J Knot Theory Ramif
• J Knot Theory Ramifications
• J. Knot Theory Ramifications
• J. Knowl. Manag.
• J Knowl Manag
• J Knowl Manag Pract
• J. Knowl. Manag. Pract.
• JKool
• J. K. Oppong
• J Kor Astron Soc