In the heart of Bagbo Chiefdom, Bo District, a cultural clash has erupted into a full-blown crisis following the refusal of a Christian lady to take up a traditional role as Sowei of the dreaded Bondo secret society, whose activities include Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a tradition tied to ancestral obligations and widely practiced in the country. Lois Kawa, and her daughter, Grace-Lyn Nottidge, have reportedly gone into hiding after facing threats from members of a powerful female traditional secret society based in the town of Jimmi, Bo District.
According to longstanding customs of the Kawa family lineage, it was decreed that upon the death of Aminata Kawa—the respected matriarch and former head of the secret society—her father’s sister, Lois Kawa would inherit the leadership mantle. The role is deeply spiritual and symbolic within the cultural heritage of the Jimmi community, where secret societies still wield considerable influence in matters of tradition, spirituality, and local governance. According to sources close to the secret society, an agreement had been reached for Lois Kawa to succeed her as head, as the Aunt had no female child.
This, they said, was unanimously agreed by the entire family, with little consideration for her consent. In traditional society, the girl child has no say in her future, and decisions arrived at concerning her future are final and nonnegotiable. Thus, Lois Kawa’s rejection stands as an open challenge to the family and long standing traditional values.
However, Lois, a devout Christian and an ardent believer in the Holy Bible, has firmly rejected the traditional appointment. She insists that her faith forbids her from participating in or leading any traditional society, especially one whose practices are inconsistent with her religious beliefs.
“I respect my roots, but my conscience and my relationship with God will not allow me to lead a secret society.
I am a follower of Christ. My salvation cannot be compromised,” Lois is said to have told close family members before fleeing the town. ‘’I was abducted and kept in the ritual room where I was held for four ssshours. While in the room I saw all the ritual materials that they planned to use on me. But I managed to escape,’’ the victim narrated.
Her refusal has sparked outrage among members of the secret society and local traditional authorities, who view her decision as a direct defiance of cultural duty and a threat to the continuity of age-old customs. They have vowed to get her to abide by the tradition or face the consequences.
However, in their bid to force her to accept the position, which included forced initiation, Lois is said to have fled the house together with her daughter and her whereabouts are yet unknown. According to sources in the Bagbo Chiefdom, both Lois and her daughter have been declared “wanted” by members of the society, triggering fears for their safety.
Community elders and traditional leaders are now locked in a tense debate over how to handle the situation, as the issue touches on the sensitive intersection of culture, religion, and personal liberty. While some elders are calling for reconciliation and a modern approach that respects individual freedom of religion, hardliners within the society are demanding that tradition must prevail.
The case has drawn attention from human rights groups and religious organizations, many of whom are calling on the government and civil society to intervene before the situation escalates further. “This is a test case of religious freedom and human rights versus deeply entrenched cultural norms,” said a representative from a local Christian advocacy group. “No one should be forced to participate in practices that violate their faith.”
As of now, the whereabouts of Lois Kawa and her daughter remain unknown. The case continues to stir conversation across Sierra Leone, reigniting national discussions on cultural reform, religious tolerance, and the rights of individuals to reject traditional roles that conflict with their beliefs.
This unfolding story remains one to watch—an emblematic struggle between old tradition and the evolving landscape of modern identity and faith in Sierra Leone. As we go to press the whereabouts of Lois Kawa and her daughter are still unknown, and the search for them by members of the secret society continues.
