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Trade centres · named 1461

Cape Palmas

The Grebo headland where the coast turns east toward the Ivory Coast.

Biography

Cape Palmas marks the corner of the West African bulge and was a required waypoint for every Guinea voyage.

The Grebo towns here operated a layered civil and military constitution with age grades and a council — one of the most articulated indigenous political systems documented on this coast.

Historical significance

The southeastern anchor of the pre-1822 world, and the seat of Grebo constitutional practice.

Timeline

  1. 1461Named by de Sintra
  2. c. 1800Grebo towns dominant in coastal trade

On the map

Associated with Cape Palmas. Open the historical atlas.

Related entries

References

  • Dunn, Beyan & Burrowes (2000).

Suggested reading

  • Martin, Jane (1968). The Dual Legacy — on Grebo politics.