Plahn Nyarn District

History of The Plahn Tribe

Written by Dr. P. Potter Pajibo

To begin with the history of the Plahn tribe, it must be assumed that the Tribe had its origin from the Cavalla River (Jubu), in the eastern part of Sinoe County. Its descendancy links with the Grebo Tribe, and for this fact, the tribe is usually referred to as Bush Grebo.

The continued rift between the belligerent Grebo Tribe and the Plahn Tribe stirred up a series of intertribal wars, and the latter was forced to leave in such of a suitable place for abode under the leadership of Tarjuo, a big doctor and warrior. The people of the Plahn Tribe traveled for months and at last reached a certain mountain, now called “Tarjuo Mountain”, in honor of their leader Tarjuo. He is also whom the Tarjuozon Tribes named where they decided to settle.

The decision to make the Tarjuo Mountain was unanimous among the people of the Plahn Tribe. They therefore settled and remained there for a few years until the death of the leader, doctor Tarjuo.

When Tarjuo died, the Plahn Tribe people felt discouraged; and after a deep contemplation, decided to leave the Tarjuo Mountain. Because of their strong conviction in superstition, the tribal people found the mountain unsuitable to live, and felt that upon their failure to leave, they would suffer an untimely death.

Under the leadership of one of Tarjuo’s sons, Plahn, after whom the tribe is named, the group again left the Tarjuo Mountain in search of another place for settlement. For months they traveled so many miles and finally reach a certain creek, called “Slae-Nee” meaning Magic Creek. This was their final destination and settlement. History shows that when they reached this area a mental picture of a bright future was formed; previous conflicts and disturbances were decreased. They believed that this creek also greatly and surprisingly aided their Tribe during a war between her and the Krahn people.

The main cause or source of the Tribe’s decision to settle around the Slae-Nee Creek was for protection. Since the organization and establishment of the Plahn Tribe, the people of said Tribe have been worshipping the Slae – Nee Creek as one of her tribal gods.

From the earliest stage of the Tribe, the following had been some of the most outstanding leaders who have contributed and accomplished much to her development:

1. Chief Jowiehfueh
2. Chief Sworrfueh
3. Chief Gbartieh Jarfueh
4. Chief Gborpannon
5. Chief Gbarweh Nuon
6. Chief Karjah
7. Chief Dopaetron
8. Chief Wiehkue
9. Chief Kujah Sworrfueh

Because of lack of written records, nothing much can be said about their contributions made. However, it is said that they had ably and conducted and protected the affairs of the Tribe. Since its establishment, there have been diverse kinds of governments. Since there was no central government at the time, the tribesmen wisely organized themselves into a strong body of local tribal government and elected Jowiehfueh as their first chief or king. He faithfully conducted the affairs of the tribe to the best of his ability and remained in power until his death.

Since the death of the first king, there has been a succession of others up to the present as listed below:

Paramount Chiefs:

• Jowiehfueh
• Pantonteh
• Jarkue Wolloh
• Teah-Deboe Pajibo
• Wrogbo Jah
• Weagbah
• Tanneh Weah
• Torteh

Clan Chiefs:

• Pantonteh
• Kietegbeh
• Nyonuwion
• Nyenfueh
• Tanneh Weah – Plahn
• Weagbah – Kulu
• Pobleh – Nyarn
• Pallaywion - Shoah
• Tanneh Weah - Plahn
• Torteh - Nyarn
• Falleh – Puea - Kulu
• Borjobo – Buer – Shoah
• David Pyne - Plahn
• Torteh - Nyarn
• Wionjuo - Kulu
• Borjobo – Buer -Shoah
• Brown Nyenfueh – Plahn/Nyarn
• Wionjuo - Kulu/Shoah

The Tribe as a whole is divided into three main family groups comprising twelve subdivisions. The causes or reasons for the divisions are on account of repeated conflicts and dissatisfactions among the three distinct original families. They felt that this would enable them to multiply, expand and to build the Tribe. They also wanted a separate and independent leadership for each division.

Below are the three original family groups and their subdivisions:

Plentarh Group

a) Chuoh

b) Sworrh

c) Kaetarh

d) Gedaquen

Snoh – Dea – Quen

a) Weorh

b) Tartouh

c) Wenjaoh

d) Saoh

Barlor – Quen

a) Chuoh

b) Swisslow

c) Tuon

d) Clayar -Quen

Information reveals that all tribes were, from the beginning, wandering from place to place in search of suitable sites for settlements. The Plahn Tribe therefore did not come in contact with any tribal group in traveling from the Cavalla River area and the Tarjuo Mountain.

The sum total of the attainments and activities, in other words, the culture of the Tribe is the making of wooden utensils such as spoons, and pans; clay pots for cooking and water buckets; the first clothing were made or obtained from bamboo limps, barks of trees, etc.; melted rocks to make cutlasses and spears; and the making of rattan baskets and chairs acquired from other neighboring tribes.

The method of serving God was through their various tribal gods such as Slae – Nee Creek, the Rock Wiah, Kae – Gedoe – Plie, Nyanfurh, and Genopuarch. In the event of war with other tribe, a special selected group of the Plahn Tribe would go to these gods and make sacrifices. Their belief in these gods would avoid the war and other unnecessary confusion that would exist, and would make the Tribe very wealthy and productive for abode.

Nowadays, most of these gods have been abandoned and replaced by Christianity. This is the result of civilization which has dispelled ignorance from the minds of the inhabitants of the tribe. There is no record of the Plahn Tribe when engaged in conflict or war with the colonist or the pioneers who came from America. There has also been no war between the Plahn and the Sinoe tribes, known as Murrayville Settlement in Sinoe County. These two Tribes have been very friendly since their settlement and were kind to the colonists.

Today, members of the Plahn Tribe from Tarjuozon District in Sinoe County can be found all over the globe serving in different ways and the District according to the latest census from the Liberian Government have a little over 428 inhabitants.