By Fatmata Jengbe
In a bold and defiant move, Haja Fatima Nabieu, a woman deeply tied to the Bondo Society, has sparked an uproar in the town of Tongo, Kenema District, following her dramatic escape from an impending forced initiation. Haja Fatima’s flight, aided by her husband Osman Tholley, has brought the controversial practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into the spotlight, raising urgent questions about the place of such ancient customs in modern society.
Haja Fatima, a member of the Bondo Society by virtue of her maternal lineage, was facing a fate long decided by tradition: to be initiated as a Sowei, the highest rank within the Bondo Secret Society, a role entrusted with the power to initiate other women and girls. While Haja Fatima had already undergone her initiation into the society, her family ties dictated that she must undergo another initiation to assume the position of Sowei. This tradition, deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of her community, is regarded by some as an unbreakable bond; one that cannot be escaped, even at the cost of one’s personal freedom and safety.
The gravity of her situation was made known to The Calabash Newspaper’s ace reporter, Foday Moriba Conteh, during an official assignment in the region. As he delved deeper into the mystery of her disappearance, it became clear that Haja Fatima’s life had been thrust into a perilous intersection of tradition and personal choice. In the face of mounting pressure, she made the brave decision to flee. In February 2023, with the initiation ceremony just around the corner, Haja Fatima, recognizing the life-threatening danger she was in, escaped with her husband Osman Tholley. Their flight remains shrouded in secrecy and the couple’s current whereabouts are unknown, leaving the community and the Bondo Society seething with anger over what they see as an unforgivable betrayal of tradition.
The Bondo Society, notorious for its secretive and controversial rites, has long been a focal point of criticism, particularly due to its use of FGM as a rite of passage for women. This practice, which involves painful and often dangerous procedures, has been condemned globally by human rights organizations for its severe and lifelong consequences. Victims of FGM suffer from excruciating pain, health complications, and, in some tragic cases, death. Disturbingly, reports from Tongo indicate that several young girls died during initiation ceremonies in the Bondo Society’s bush, underscoring the deadly risks that Haja Fatima narrowly avoided.
Calls for the abolition of the Bondo Society and its harmful practices have grown louder, yet political hesitation persists. The society’s deep cultural influence, especially in rural areas, poses a significant challenge to reform. Many local politicians, fearing the loss of a crucial voting bloc, remain reluctant to take decisive action.
As the controversy intensifies and threats against Haja Fatima mount, her courageous escape has become a symbol of the struggle between oppressive traditions and a woman’s right to freedom and safety. It highlights the urgent need for societal reform to protect women from such dangerous and archaic practices that continue to endanger their lives. The story of Haja Fatima Nabieu serves as a stark reminder of the power of tradition and the lengths one woman went to escape it for the sake of her life.
