By Alhaji Turay
Alfred Mohamed Kabia has been declared wanted for what certain members of the Poro society deem a grievous crime. The Poro society’s a secret and highly revered organization in Sierra Leone for boys and Men’s in Sierra Leone is known for the esoteric powers attributed to its members and the mystical poro devil. This secret society’s which is shrouded in mystery, commands significant respect and fear in the areas where it operates, especially in the rural areas.
The fate of Alfred Mohamed Kabia began in the quiet village of Katick Lunsar located in the Portloko District in the Northern Western Province of Sierra Leone. Tradition in this village dictates that when a powerful and influencial member of the poro society passes away, his son must replace him . Alfred Mohamed Kabia father had been one such member, holding considerable sway within the society, and he was a strong member known as Pa Yamba. When his father died in Lunsar Katick village, it was decreed that Alfred Mohamed Kabia against his wishes should take his father’s place in the poro society.
Alfred Mohamed Kabia was forcibly taken to the poro Bush, a secluded area only accessible to society members. The initiations ritual’s, within the poro Bush are known to be gruelling involving various secrets ceremonies and oath. One of the most feared aspect of initiation is the marking of a new members back , a rite that signifies their complete indoctrination and acceptance into the society. Members are also required to swear and oaths of society’s forbidding them from revealing the society activities to non members. This secrecy is one of the core principles that sustain the poro society mystique and influence. While in the poro Bush, Alfred Mohamed Kabia began contemplating escape. He was not alone in his desperation, one other young Man of his age shared his sentiments. The two of them saw their chances on the 23rd December 2024 and seized the opportunity to flee. Their escaped was narrow and they knew the gravity of their situation. The poro society has a strict law , anyone who has not been fully initiated but has seen the inner workings of the society and then escapes must be killed for betrayal. This law made their flight fraught with danger.
The Poro society members, realising the escape, mounted a frantic manhunt. They were determined to capture Alfred Mohamed Kabia and the other Man and uphold the society law but to no avail. The poro society has a long standing presence particularly in Sierra Leone provinces and rural areas. It’s initiations ceremonies are rumoured to be extremely rigorous, with the aforementioned marking of new members being one of the many trials they face. The society strict codes and oaths of secrecy ensure that it’s internal affairs remain hidden from the outside world. Members wo uphold these oaths are respected and often ascend to leadership roles within their communities.
What Alfred Mohamed Kabia and the other guy did was considered sacrilege. Their actions threatened the very fabric of the society secrecy and tradition. If captured they would face instant deaths. The society resolved to enforce this punishment is unyielding reflecting the seriousness with which they guard their traditions and secrets. Despite the severity of the situation human rights organisation have long campaigned for the government to ban secrets societies in Sierra Leone. These organisations argue that such societies perpetuated human rights abuses and restrict individual freedom. However, these campaigns have not gained much traction. Secret societies Ike the poro are deeply embedded in the customs and traditions of the communities that practices them, and any move to ban them is met with significant resistance.
As the manhunt for Alfred Mohamed Kabia continues his story has become a symbol of the clash between traditions and modernity in Sierra Leone. On one hand there is a deep respect for cultural practices and the role they play in the social structure,on the other hand there is a growing recognition of individual rights and the need to protect those wish to opt out of such traditions. Alfred Mohamed Kabia escape has also raised questions about the right of individual to refuse participation in culture practices that they find objectionable or oppressive. While the Poro society sees his actions asa betrayal,others view it as a courageous stand against coercion and an assertion of personal freedom.
As Alfred Mohamed Kabia remains at large, his fate hangs in balance. His story is a reminder of the complex interplay between traditions, culture and individual rights. The Poro men have vow that they will not rest until they find Alfred Mohamed Kabia and kill him. Since Alfred Mohamed Kabia left the shores of Sierra Leone, they have neither heard from him nor do they know his whereabout
