They, in turn, forced the Mande-speakers farther southward. Most of the Mano settled in Guinea. However, many immigrated to Liberia at the end of the 1800's when the French occupied Guinea. Although many Mano still live in Liberia today, about 40,000 remain in southern Guinea. The Mano are provided with the bare necessities of life through farming.
Rice is the staple crop and it is grown on large cultivated lands outside the village.
Temporary huts are a resting place for many during harvest time. Once the rice is planted, sacrifices and medicines are made to ensure a good harvest. Hand-made fences surround the farmland in an attempt to discourage threatening animals. Boys chase birds away or hunt them before they can kill the crops. The women are primarily responsible for weeding the fields.