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The Vai are an ethnic group living in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Vai are known for their indigenous syllabic writing system, developed in the 1820s by Duala Bukele and tribal elders. Over the course of the 19th century, literacy in the writing system became widespread. Its use declined over the 20th century, but modern computer technology may enable a revival. In 2003, a Bible in the Vai Syllabary was published.

They are people of average height, and their skin ranges in color from light brown to coal black. They speak Vai, which is a Niger-Congo language.

The Vai who live along the coast are surrounded by sandbars, lagoons, and swamps; while those living northwest of the coast dwell in the thick forested areas. Hippopotamuses and alligators inhabit the rivers, and large game animals live in the tropical forest regions. Unfortunately, disease-carrying mosquitoes and tsetse flies are also abundant in the area, spreading malaria and other diseases.

Most Vai make their living by farming the fertile land. Rice is their staple crop and can be cultivated with other vegetables on upland plots of cleared land. In addition to rice, crops such as cotton, corn, pumpkins, bananas, ginger, coffee, and cocoa are raised. The Vai also gather various nuts and berries from the forests. The palm tree is an important commodity to the Vai. Nuts, butter, wine, fuel, soap, and baskets are among its many derivatives.

In many aspects, the Vai are a unique African ethnicity. Many believe that the region inhabited by the Vai is the original home of the Poro, a male secret society known throughout West Africa. The Vai are also quite musical. They play many instruments and perform dances on special occasions. Their hair texture ranges from short and curly, to long and wavy, and their noses are not flat and broad like the noses of many other Africans.

The Vai have three types of schooling. The first and most important is the bush school, where the children learn traditional Vai socialization skills, important survival skills, and other traits of village life for four to five years. Second is the English school, some Vai children attend English schools to learn the English language. Finally, is the Quianic schools, were Vai children are taught the Arabic language under the guidance of the local Muslim religious leader.

The Vai are predominantly Muslim, but many traditional pagan beliefs are still practiced. For instance, the alligator is believed to be connected with evil spirits, since it destroys life. A supreme god is thought to be the controller of Earth and everything in it, since they believe he created everything. The Vai believe that this god manifests himself through spirits and nature. They also believe that this god is too distant to serve or worship directly, so they use a spirit medium.

Most of the Vai are very superstitious and some practice witchcraft. They consider themselves to be surrounded by spirits that can change into living creatures or objects. These spirits are believed to have the power to do evil to individuals or to the whole tribe. The Vai perform ceremonies for the dead in which they leave articles of clothing and food near the graves of the deceased.

• http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=110483&rog3=SL

• Vai language
• Vai syllabary