The New International Encyclopædia/Kru

KRU, krōō, or KRUMEN, krōō'men. A tribe of negroes living on the coasts of Liberia and French Guinea in West Africa. The Kru are among the few African tribes that are skilled in seafaring. They are noted as boat-builders and as hardy sailors and are valued as crews for men-of-war and merchant ships. They are also the best factory workers of all the negroes, and one may depend on their obedience, faithfulness, and courage. Their fairness in bargain and readiness to enter into engagements have given them a great part of the trade of their country. Consult Buttikofer, Reisebilder aus Liberia, vol. ii. (Leyden, 1890).