By Emmanuel Thorli
Report reaching us has indicated that the ‘Poro’ secret society is actively conscripting teenagers and young men in northern Sierra Leone despite efforts by the Sierra Leone Police to put a stop into this practice.
The ‘Poro’ society is a secret society practiced in Sierra Leone and it has been in existence for over 100 years. There have been several reports of human sacrifices by members of the ‘Poro’ society.
In July 2016, 12 members of the secret society were arrested in Bonthe following the death of two teenagers who were forcefully initiated into the ‘Poro’ society. Some members of the ‘Poro’ society in the town later retaliated and attacked members of the Sierra Leone Police and the Maritime Wing Military Base in the town.
Amadu Mohamed Turay, Superintendent Bonthe Police Division, confirmed the attacks. “We are still investigating the matter and I cannot proffer any charges at the moment. What is very clear is that the entire township came under attack by the Poro boys.”
Many young men had fled the town for fear of being forcefully initiated into the secret society. Reports say some of the boys who were captured and taken for initiation never returned back alive.
A young man, who fled the community, reluctantly spoke to this press on condition of anonymity. He pleaded with this writer to remain anonymous for fear of been killed by members of the ‘Poro’ society.He said the forceful initiation of young boys into the society is bad. He narrated a story of how a close friend of his, Saikou Yaffa, was captured following the death of his father.”
“Saikou used to be my best friend since childhood. His father, who was one of the leaders of the Poro society, died of Ebola in 2014 in the town. His son, Saikou, was captured and taken to the Poro initiation bush to replace the position of his father in the ‘Poro’ society.”
He said he could not confirm whether Saikou went through the initiation rites or had to escape. “But I did not set my eyes on my friend since he was taken to that bush that fateful night.”
He took out a picture of Saikou, which he claimed to be the picture of his friend. He gave us the picture and in tears said: “I don’t know whether he is dead or alive but even if he is alive, considering the position of his father in the ‘Poro’ society, if he resurfaces, he will be killed.I miss him; I still have memories of our childhood together.”
Dr. Andrew Koroma, a lecturer of African history at the Fourah Bay College, said the practice of forceful initiation of young boys into the secret Poro society started since the society was founded. He said the secret society still remains very powerful in Sierra Leone. It is believed that they have mystical powers and they can harm anyone with those powers. It is still considered a taboo to even call the name ‘Poro’ in Sierra Leone, talk less of discussing their practice. There have been many reported cases of human sacrifices by members of the secret society but nothing comes out of it.