Liberia Moves to Preserve Ancient Yeala Site, Opening New Chapter for Heritage Tourism
YEALA, Lofa County — Hidden among the landscapes of northern Liberia, ancient walls, nine tunnels, historic creeks and stories of seven warriors have endured for generations. Now, a new effort is taking shape to preserve that history and bring Yeala’s heritage to a wider audience.
On Sunday, August 23, a team from the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) visited Yeala as part of plans to preserve and develop the historic site into a cultural and tourism destination.
The mission, undertaken on the instructions of LNTA Director General Princess Eva Cooper, was led by the Deputy Director General for Planning, Research and Development, Atty. Dogba K. Norris. During the visit, the team engaged community elders and received their consent and support for the proposed preservation and development of the site.
Plans for Yeala include preserving the ancient double wall and gate, conducting archaeological and geological surveys of the nine tunnels, and protecting the Ancient Warriors Creek and Yeala Creek.
The proposed development also includes a museum, monuments honoring the seven ancient warriors, a visitor and tourism information centre, an open-air venue for traditional festivals, a guest house, and a traditional arts and crafts market and training centre in Fissebu.
The Yeala & Fissibu initiative forms part of the Liberian Government’s broader nationwide effort to discover, preserve and promote the country’s cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for tourism, research and community development.
For Yeala, the effort could help safeguard centuries of history, strengthen the community’s connection to its heritage, and introduce one of Lofa County’s remarkable historic sites to Liberia and the world.
