By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Abu Bakarr Sesay, born on May 6, 2003, has been declared wanted for what certain members of the Poro Society deem a grievous crime. The Poro Society, a secret and highly revered organization for boys and men in Sierra Leone, is known for the esoteric powers attributed to its members and the mystical Poro devil. This secret society which is shrouded in mystery commands significant respect and fear in the areas where it operates, especially in the rural areas.
The fate of Abu Bakarr Sesay began in the quiet village of Konta, located in the Port Loko District of Northern Sierra Leone. Tradition in this village dictates that when a powerful and influential member of the Poro Society passes away, his son must replace him. Abu Bakarr’s grandfather had been one such member, holding considerable sway within the society and his father is still a strong member. When his grandfather died, it was decreed that Abu Bakarr, against his wishes, should take his grandfather’s place in the Poro Society.
Abu Bakarr was forcibly taken to the Poro Bush, a secluded area only accessible to society members. The initiation rituals within the Poro Bush are known to be grueling, involving various secret ceremonies and oaths. One of the most feared aspects of initiation is the marking of a new member’s back, a rite that signifies their complete indoctrination and acceptance into the society. Members are also required to swear an oath of secrecy, forbidding them from revealing the society’s activities to non-members. This secrecy is one of the core principles that sustains the Poro Society’s mystique and influence.
While in the Poro Bush, Abu Bakarr Sesay began contemplating escape. He was not alone in his desperation; two other young boys of his age shared his sentiments. The three of them saw their chance on the 6th January, 2023 and seized the opportunity to flee. Their escape 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, realizing the escape, mounted a frantic manhunt. They were determined to capture the boys and uphold the society’s laws. The situation became even more serious when the society members abducted Abu Bakarr’s mother, accusing her of complicity in her son’s escape. She was detained for two to three weeks, undergoing interrogation and hardship. Eventually, the society members concluded that she had no knowledge of her son’s plans and released her. However, the damage had been done; the incident left a lasting impact on the family.
The Poro Society has a long-standing presence, particularly in Sierra Leone’s provinces and rural areas. Its initiation ceremonies are rumored to be extremely rigorous, with the aforementioned marking of new members being one of the many trials they face. The society’s strict codes and oaths of secrecy ensure that its internal affairs remain hidden from the outside world. Members who uphold these oaths are respected and often ascend to leadership roles within their communities.
What Abu Bakarr Sesay and the other boys did was considered sacrilege. Their actions threatened the very fabric of the society’s secrecy and tradition. If captured, they would face instant death. The society’s resolve 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 organizations have long campaigned for the Government to ban secret societies in Sierra Leone. These organizations argue that such societies perpetuate human rights abuses and restrict individual freedoms. However, these campaigns have not gained much traction. Secret societies like the Poro are deeply embedded in the customs and traditions of the communities that practice them, and any move to ban them is met with significant resistance.
As the manhunt for Abu Bakarr Sesay continues, his story has become a symbol of the clash between tradition 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 who wish to opt out of such traditions.
Abu Bakarr’s escape has also raised questions about the rights of individuals to refuse participation in cultural practices that they find objectionable or oppressive. While the Poro Society sees his actions as a betrayal, others view it as a courageous stand against coercion and an assertion of personal freedom.
As Abu Bakarr Sesay remains at large, his fate hangs in the balance. His story is reminder of the complex interplay between tradition, culture, and individual rights.
