Collection ID: LCP2012/02
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Currens, Gerald Elwin, 1928-
Abstract:
Gerald Currens' experience with Liberia began in 1951 as a Lutheran missionary. In 1968 he began his graduate studies in anthropology at the University of Oregon, which had a strong program focused on Liberia. In December 1971, Currens began his abroad research in Liberia for his PhD dissertation study on upland rice cultivation and other features of subsistence based economies in rural Liberia. His main area of study was Lawalazu which is a Loma speaking town several miles from Voinjama, the capital for Lofa County. The collection consists of his field notes, data, questionnaires, personal research documents, personal and nonpersonal published and unpublished papers, copies of "The Loma Weekly," and a great variety of small educational readers produced by the Loma Literacy Center.
Extent:
4 cubic feet; (4 records cartons)
Language:
Materials are primarily in English and Loma.
Preferred citation:

[item], Gerald Currens Collections, Bloomington, IN: Liberian Collections, Indiana University Libraries, 2012

Background

Biographical / Historical:

In 1951 Gerald Elwin Currens began working in Liberia as a Lutheran missionary with his wife Virginia. After working as a missionary for many years, he was granted a one-year study leave. He was accepted into the University of Oregon's school of anthropology in 1968. After his first year he was awarded with a fellowship from the National Institute of Health, thus beginning his PhD work. His research proposal was to study upland rice cultivation and other features of the subsistence based economy that was prevalent within rural Liberia.

Currens and his wife settled in the town of Lawalazu . The area was largely chosen because the people spoke the Loma language, which he spoke relatively fluently, and he had no associations there from his prior work as a missionary. Currens began his study in December 1971 and remained there until the December of the following year. While there, he studied the market activity, local custom, and the farming style of slash and burn upland rice cultivation.

Currens was also heavily involved with the "The Loma Weekly" and literacy readers while in Liberia. For "The Loma Weekly," Currens authored many articles. He often wrote what was a "reflection" based upon a Biblical story or theme which was then interpreted through the Loma context. For the literacy readers or primers, Currens worked with the Loma Literacy Program run by the Lutheran church which was heavily involved with teaching adults to read the Loma script. Children were taught in English. Several of the readers in the collection have been written or adapted by Currens in Loma or English or both.

Scope and Content:

The Gerald E. Currens Collection consists of 4 linear feet of documents primarily spanning from the years 1971-1972 but includes (but not limited to) publications ranging from 1949-1976. As much as possible the organization reflects Currens's. The folder titles are similar but have been greatly shortened to Indiana University Liberian Collection's convention. This collection is divided into 2 series: Field Notes, and Publications & Papers

The Field Notes series consists of four subseries. Data includes population, census, and weekly market information. Information consists of personal notes on Loma vocabulary and pronunciation guides, along with personal notes on a variety of subjects. Research also consists again of notes on a variety of subjects. Currens labeled the folders with "information" and "research" and respect was given to that. These three are divided by subject, then first arranged alphabetically if no date exists, and then chronologically and alphabetically. Questionnaires have been arranged alphabetically by town.

The Publications and Papers series consists of four subseries. The Gerald E. Currens' papers (GEC) and other papers have been maintained in original order as they were received. However,the GEC papers have been separated from the others and again in original order. The Loma Weekly consists of various issues from 1957-1976 and have been arranged chronologically and in the order received. The Loma Readers are divided by subject into history, fables, culture, health, literacy, Christian writings and music, and miscellaneous. For a complete list of titles in the Loma Readers subseries please contact the staff at the Liberian Collections.

Custodial history:

Copyright interests for this collection have been transferred to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, contact the Indiana University Liberian Collections

Processing information:

Processed by Paul McNeil

Completed in 2012.

Arrangement:

The Gerald Currens Collection is divided into two series:

  1. Field Notes
  2. Publications and Papers

Field notes include the subseries data, information, questionnaires, and research. Publications & Papers include the subseries of Gerald E. Currens (GEC) , other papers, Loma Weekly, and Loma readers.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Open for research.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

All research at the Liberian Collections Project is by appointment only.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[item], Gerald Currens Collections, Bloomington, IN: Liberian Collections, Indiana University Libraries, 2012

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Herman B Wells Library
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
BEFORE YOU VISIT:
Processed Liberian Collections are open to researchers with advance notice. However, the African Studies Librarian position is currently vacant and because of this, reference and research support is limited.
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
afstlib@indiana.edu