George Weah's gesture of placing his hand on his chest instead of shaking hands with Vice President Jeremiah Koung and Representative Samuel Kogar during his visit to the late Senator Prince Johnson's family carries significant symbolic weight in Liberian political culture. This act can be analyzed from multiple perspectives, considering Liberia's political history, cultural context, and current political dynamics.
Cultural and Symbolic Context
In Liberian culture, a handshake is not just a greeting but has a deeper meaning. The Liberian snap handshake, for example, is a unique gesture of greeting that ends with the fingers pressing together, making a "snap" sound [2]. By choosing to place his hand on his chest instead, Weah may have been depicting something different from this cultural norm, projecting an act that is mainly in line with COVID-19 best practices, or better yet, sending a clear message of distancing himself from Koung and Kogar.
The hand-on-chest gesture is reminiscent of the "dap" greeting, which originated among black soldiers during the Vietnam War as a symbol of solidarity and commitment to look after one another [1]. In the Liberian context, this gesture could be interpreted as Weah aligning himself with the sentiments of Nimbaians who feel betrayed by Koung and Kogar's perceived abandonment of PYJ.
Historical Precedents and Political Symbolism
Liberia's political history is marked with examples of non-verbal communication used to convey powerful political messages, particularly during the Tubman era (1944-1971) and beyond. This pattern of symbolic gestures and body language has continued to shape Liberian politics, as evidenced by George Weah's recent actions.
During William V.S. Tubman's presidency (1944-1971), a complex political patronage and suppression system was established[1]. Tubman rewarded loyalty with public money and positions while actively doing otherwise to political opposition with signs of disapproval[2]. This created a culture where gestures, body language, and symbolic acts became crucial in sending signals.
Succeeding Presidents and Government officials followed this path, using gestures to sign approval or disapproval. Madam Ellen Sirleaf refused a handshake with then-Speaker Edwin Snowe when she didn't want him as Speaker anymore. In another instance, Bhofal Chambers, then representative, refused to shake President Sirleaf's hands at the National Election Commission certification ceremony following the 2011 General and Presidential election. Those legacies of past eras continue to influence political actions even today.
Weah's Recent Action
But in the case of the "HANDSHAKE" controversy, neither Weah, Koung nor Kogar extended their hands and were snubbed, as the story goes. But a handshake was expected! From his car, Weah placed his hands on his chest as Koung and Kogar went to greet him. Neither party initiated a handshake. That is the truth of the matter! Nevertheless, for the sake of popular narrative, George Weah's recent gesture of placing his hand on his chest instead of shaking hands with Vice President Jeremiah Koung and Representative Samuel Kogar can be seen as a continuation of a political pattern of using nonverbal cues to register a message. Like his predecessors, Weah may have used non-verbal cues to signal political alignment and disapproval[9].
This gesture, reminiscent of the complex political symbolism of the Tubman era, communicates Weah's stance without the need for explicit verbal statements. It allows him to signal disapproval while maintaining a degree of plausible deniability. This tactic would have been well understood during Tubman's time and remains potent in contemporary Liberian politics. The move could bolster Weah's image as a leader who respects traditional values and is on the people's side. However, it also risks being perceived as divisive or even malicious, especially in light of his support for Koung's 2020 senatorial bid and Koung's later betrayal of him for the Unity Party in 2023.
Potential Motivations Behind Weah's Gesture
1. Disapproval of Koung and Kogar's Actions:
Several months back, events suggest a growing rift between PYJ and his former allies. In a leaked audio recording, PYJ expressed disappointment with Vice President Koung for failing to consult him on crucial decisions, including appointments[7]. Kogar, on the other hand, was one of PYJ's first cousins, but their relationship has been controversial. Weah's gesture could be interpreted as aligning himself with this sense of betrayal.
2. Strategic Political Move:
With PYJ's death, Nimba's political landscape is in flux. Weah's gesture could be an attempt to position himself as a defender of PYJ's legacy and capitalize on the discontent among Nimbaians[7]. This aligns with Weah's historical approach of appealing directly to the masses.
3. Respect for PYJ's Legacy:
Despite PYJ's controversial past, he was a significant political figure in Nimba. Weah's gesture might honor PYJ's memory while distancing himself from those perceived to have betrayed him.
Broader Implications
This incident draws attention to the growing perception of Koung and Kogar as opportunists. Some have even described them as "ritualists." In Nimba, where loyalty is highly valued, this could impact their eroding support base[6]. With the Nimba senatorial by-election looming, this gesture message could affect voter perceptions and behavior [10]. Whatever direct impact this will have on the voters will depend on how the message is delivered.
Conclusion
George Weah's refusal to shake hands with Vice President Koung and Representative Kogar appears to be calculated. It is loaded with political and controversial symbolism. It is a demonstration of Weah's controversial avoidance of people he perceives as dishonest and also an expression of the mood of the Nimba electorate, particularly the mood of discontent following PYJ's death.
This gesture may serve as a defining moment in shaping Nimba's upcoming political campaign and potentially be a point for discussion in the forthcoming by-election. It underscores the complex interplay of personal loyalty, political strategy, and cultural symbolism in Liberian politics, where nonverbal cues can carry as much weight as spoken words.
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References:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giving_dap
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberian_snap_handshake
[3] https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Res/chapter_4-background_on_liberia_and_the_conflict.pdf
[4] https://www.academia.edu/598073/The_Way_Things_Used_to_Be_William_Tubman_s_Rhetorical_Legacy_in_LiberiaThe Handshake, That Never WAS, Weah's Non-Traditional Gesture ReactionsThe Handshake, That Never WAS, Weah's Non-Traditional Gesture Reactions
[5] https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/cpj/2004/en/13431
[6] https://liberianinvestigator.com/update/pay-for-play-rocks-speaker-koffas-ouster-attempt/
[7] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/politics/liberia-disappointed-prince-johnson-begins-plot-against-unity-party-signaling-an-early-fallout-with-the-regime/
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gestures
[9] https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/ASPJ_French/journals_E/Volume-05_Issue-3/Hahn_e.pdfThe Handshake, That Never WAS, Weah's Non-Traditional Gesture Reactions
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