The Mask of Anarchy Updated Edition: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimension of an African Civil War

by Stephen Ellis

Liberia has been one of Africa’s most violent trouble spots. In 1990, when thousands of teenage fighters, including young men wearing women’s clothing and bizarre objects of decoration, laid siege to the capital, the world took notice. Since then Liberia has been through devastating civil upheaval. What began as a civil conflict, has spread to other West African nations.
Eschewing popular stereotypes and simple explanations, Stephen Ellis traces the history of the civil war that has blighted Liberia in recent years and looks at its political, ethnic and cultural roots. He focuses on the role religion and ritual have played in shaping and intensifying this brutal war. In this edition, with a new preface by the author, Ellis provides a current picture of Liberia and details how much of the same problems still exist.

Genres: Africa, History, Liberia, Nonfiction, Religion, War

366 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

Reviews

[John Crippen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1999, the first half of this book is a great history of what was then called the Liberian Civil War, from 1989 to Charles Taylor's election as President in 1997 (sadly, a war now referred to as the First Liberian Civil War). The second part of the book is a more analytical look at violence in the war and the effects of spiritual beliefs on the concepts of power. The author's analyses were very interesting and covered a wide range of aspects of society, not just religion. One warning: the descriptions of violence, both before the war in the hinterlands and during the war itself everywhere, were graphic.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, particularly when detailing cultural practices associated with Liberia's varying ethnic groups and detail on how the economy functioned during the war. Ellis clearly respects the people he is writing about.

A bit light on exploring certain aspects of Liberia's history, a more detailed exploration of external interference and also on the experience of women would have been welcome.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is just terrible.
He manages to do several things wrong but I think primary sins are:
1. Somehow making an amazingly interesting history seem dull.
2. His ability to write overly complex sentences. You end up parsing them twice before you realise he’s made a simple concept and difficult.

Just bad writing.

[Jack Vandam]

Great book

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly repetitive, but incredibly thorough.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a good read !

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at how culture, in this case the religious beliefs of Liberians, played into the year's long war in Liberia. It also makes one realize just how alien Liberian culture (and, by extension, other non-European origin) actually are.

Please note: I am not saying better or worse (although, when one looks at a a place by Liberia, no matter how politically correct one is, it is hard to think human sacrifice and ritual cannibalism are better than our way of doing things) just different. Further, recognizing this, our self-appointed mission to civilize the world (i.e., spread our notions of human rights, power distribution, governance and so forth) is shown to be even harder than one might think.

Anyway, an interesting, if at times disturbing, book.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellis' book focuses on the First Liberian Civil War, and though it does provide a blow-by-blow chronological account of the war itself and the main players and factions involved, the key purpose of the book is to try to bring meaning to the brutal violence of the conflict by tracing the religious meanings and contexts in which the war took place. It provides interesting exploration of the Poro religious groups (often termed 'secret societies'), through emphasis on the role of the symbolism of 'eating'. This occurs both in the spiritual sense of leopard and alligator societies 'eating' the spiritual power of individuals, as well as cannibalism and human sacrifice.

[Andy Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essential pre-reading prior to a year-long tour to Liberia, this was a shocking book. It is hard to imagine that such places and people still exist. Yet during that subsequent tour, there were occasions when I had to plan a strategy to get in and out of an office without shaking the hand of a high-placed member of government who is captured on a video record sipping Budweiser while his soldiers cut off and ate pieces of the 'outgoing' President!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting perspective into Liberian history and conflicts, focusing more on the spiritual/religious side and how that influenced the conflict (at least through 1997). Stephen Ellis deeply researched this books, using sources from all eras of Liberia's history in a variety of media. While I can't say this is the ONE book to read on Liberian history and conflicts, it is a valuable addition to the historical record.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant - I could not put it down. Made even more poigniant by the fact that I was reading it in the Kangari Hills in central Sierra Leone which was itself plunged into a tragic civil war as a consequence of the forces unleashed in neighbouring Liberia. I recommend this as an absolute must read for anyone interested in this region and its troubled history. An insightful and reasoned look at some very complex and difficult to unpack issues.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is a must read for anyone interested in the Liberian Civil War; however, it is poorly researched with repeated reference to secondary sources and journalistic accounts. His theory about religion is clearly bunk. Does Shinto explain the behavior of the Japanese in Nanjing? Clearly not, and neither do traditional spirit beliefs explain the violence of the civil war.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the best book i have found on Liberian war so far! 2 editions, but the new one does not cover the second part of the war from 1999-2003. still, many insights into religion, witchcraft thinking... and its role in the war. great!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and written. Provides insight into factors that determined the events of the war, especially with regard to the secret societies, the Poro and the Sande.

I found the analysis unsettling because it highlights problems that will make Librarians future uncertain/risky.

[Rahma · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the Liberian Civil War...devastating

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to read, well-researched account of the Liberian war.

[David Sasaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://el-oso.net/blog/archives/2009/...

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I failed at finishing this book - it's just too depressing. :(