Bopolu

Bopolu, town, western Liberia. Once the centre of the Malinke-dominated Kondo Confederation—including the Gola, Vai, De (Dei), and Loma peoples—the area surrounding Bopolu probably reached its height under King Bosan (Boatswain; 1775–1836). Slaves, ivory, gold, and camwood from the north were sent by Bopolu traders to the coastal Vai and De peoples in exchange for salt, tobacco, guns, and European cloth. Cultivation of rice and cassava is now the region’s main economic activity, and there is some diamond prospecting in the area. Pop. (2008) 2,912.