Which language families include Liberia’s indigenous ethnic groups?

Liberia’s indigenous ethnic groups are classified into three linguistic groups, all of which belong to the Niger-Congo language family:1

• Mande: Located primarily in the central and northwestern regions of the country, this group includes peoples such as the Kpelle, Vai, Dan, Mende, and Malinke.1
• Kwa: Occupying the southern half of Liberia, this group includes the Kru, Bassa, Grebo, and Krahn. The Kru languages themselves constitute a specific branch of the Niger-Congo family.123
• Mel: Also known as southern Atlantic languages, this group includes the Gola and Kisi, who reside in the northern and northwestern coastal regions.1