Members of the Poro Society in Farandu Village, Gbense Chiefdom, Kono District, Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, have declared Kai Kembey wanted for allegedly escaping during an initiation ceremony.
According to the leader of the Poro Society, commonly referred to as the Poro Zo, escaping or resisting initiation into the society is considered a grave desecration and carries severe consequences. During a recent meeting in Farandu Village, the Poro Zo informed local authorities and villagers that Kembey had desecrated the sacred Poro grounds by fleeing during the December 2022 initiation ceremony.
The Poro Zo explained that Kembey, along with other initiates, was taken to the Poro Bush on December 20, 2022. However, on December 24, 2022, Kembey reportedly escaped while undergoing the initiation rites. As a result, the Poro Zo publicly declared him wanted and warned against anyone interfering in the matter. To symbolize the society’s grievance, the Poro Zo erected the staff of authority in the village square, signifying the society’s intent to seek vengeance.
The Paramount Chief of Gbense Chiefdom endorsed the Poro Zo’s actions and issued a stern warning that anyone interfering in the Poro Society’s affairs would face severe consequences, including death.
One of the villagers, speaking anonymously, alleged that during the December holidays Kembey was abducted and forced into the initiation ceremony. The source further claimed that Kembey, a devout Christian and critic of the Poro Society, had previously condemned its practices as “evil.”
The villager further implicated Kembey’s uncle in orchestrating the forced initiation, suggesting it was part of a broader scheme to seize Kembey’s inherited plantation land. According to the source, Kembey had taken his uncle to court over a land dispute, but during the legal proceedings, the uncle allegedly sought the services of African traditional powers to harm Kembey, resulting in Kembey requiring medical treatment. When this effort reportedly failed, the uncle allegedly turned to the Poro Society, leveraging his influence within the group to target Kembey during the initiation ceremony.
A religious leader in Freetown also criticized the Poro Society’s actions, calling the forced initiation “barbaric” and “inhumane.” However, the leader declined to comment further, citing safety concerns for himself and his family. Efforts to contact Kai Kembey for his response have so far been unsuccessful.
Recent events in Sierra Leone involving traditional initiation ceremonies, particularly those related to the Poro society, have highlighted serious concerns about human rights and safety. Initiation rituals in Poro and other secret societies, deeply embedded in Sierra Leonean culture, often involve physical and psychological challenges. Tragically, some participants lose their lives during these rites due to harsh treatment or lack of medical care.
During a Poro initiation, initiates are subjected to rigorous activities, leading to injuries or death. Cases of forced participation and a lack of accountability within these societies have been widely reported. The government has faced challenges regulating such practices because of their deep cultural and political significance.
