BOPOLU

also called Bopora, or Boporo, town, western Liberia. Once the centre of the Malinke-dominated Kondo Confederationincluding the Gola, Vai, De (Dei), and Loma peoplesthe area surrounding Bopolu probably reached its height under King Bosan (Boatswain; 17751836). 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. (1974) 5001,000.