The Lomas belong to the Mande cultural and linguistic family, one of the oldest and most influential civilizations in West Africa. Their early homeland was a region of forested mountains, river valleys, and fertile highlands. This geography shaped their identities as farmers, hunters, and forest-based communities. Over time they organized themselves into clan-based villages with powerful initiation societies for both men and women. Their society was highly structured long before colonial influence. Their interaction over the centuries with other peoples introduced trade, intermarriage and occasional conflict. They became known as skilled blacksmiths, weavers, and farmers. Their forested terrain made them difficult to conquer, and their strong secret societies gave them internal unity. They were able to resist the Islamic influence from the north and early slave-raiding pressures. This helped preserve their cultural identity. Due to their expansion in the late 1800s, they encountered militias and Christian missionaries in Liberia and French colonial rule and Islamic expansion in Guinea. A remarkable moment in Loma history was the creation of an indigenous writing system in the 1930s. It is one of the few indigenous scripts in West Africa.
Agriculture is the center of their lives today. They still live in a forested, hilly region where villages are close-knit, and family networks are strong. Farming, and community cooperation are the center of their lives as well as their deep ties to their ancestors to maintain a strong sense of identity. Farming is the backbone. Rice, cassava, plantains, peppers, nuts, cocoa and coffee are their livelihood. Work is shared among family members the entire year. Many families also raise small livestock. Elders hold strong authority over the community. Stroytelling, drumming, and dance continue to be important as is respect for ancestors which shapes ceremonies and social life. Though schools exist in most towns, rural areas struggle with limited teachers, lack of materials and long walking distances. Young people must often leave their villages to seek work, education or trade opportunities yet maintain strong ties to home through family obligations and community associations.
The influence of honoring ancestors is blended with both Christian and Muslim worship. They believe in a single creator God who made the world, who is powerful but distant from daily affairs. God is approachable through intermediaries, ancestors, and rituals. This belief existed long before Christianity or Islam arrived. Ancestors watch over the living and protect families and land. Dishonoring them brings misfortune. Rituals and offerings maintain harmony. Many believe in protective charms, sacred objects as well as prayers be they Christian or Muslim. Protection is a major spiritual theme.
They believe the land is sacred having been inherited from ancestors and that forests and rivers hold spiritual power. Land is not just property, it is identity.
Loma communities deal with limited healthcare, poor road access, and economic hardship. Slow development in rural areas leads to youth unemployment. Health care and water access are two of the most urgent everyday challenges for Loma communities due to geography, poverty, and the slow pace of development in rural Lofa County where they live. The nearest hospital could be hours away by foot or motorbike, especially in bad weather when roads are impassable. There is a shortage of trained medical staff, and limited medicines. Infant mortality remains higher than the national average in remote areas. In rural areas families often collect untreated water from rivers, creeks, shallow wells and seasonal streams which all increase disease risk. Waterborne diseases are common.
As their spiritual world is layered into traditional, Christian, Muslim, and harmful spirits, pray that the Holy Spirit will bring revelation of the One-ness of God and freedom of fear in Christ.
Pray that the Loma would begin to have a hunger for God's word becoming people of the word in wisdom and in heart desiring to disciple others, even those from other ethnic groups.
Pray for their physical needs and that would prosper as a people. Pray for the youth.
Scripture Prayers for the Loma, Loghoma in Liberia.
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| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
