“Ebola in Town”: Creating Musical Connections in Liberian Communities during the 2014 Crisis in West Africa

Abstract

This article addresses the neglected topic of music and expressive performance during the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia from 2014 to 2016. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted in January and February of 2016 in Montserrado County, I explore the importance of music performance and other sonic sources that provided warning, ameliorated suffering, and promoted mental health during the outbreak. The conclusions of this initial study document the critical role that expressive culture played in a variety of venues and emphasize the need to acknowledge and account for this dimension of life during the Ebola crisis.