Beiträge

In a case that has stirred national outrage and renewed debate over cultural sovereignty, traditional Bondo leaders across Sierra Leone have intensify their search for M Massaquoi*, a man accused of violating sacred customs after forcefully removing his young daughter from a protected Bondo bush. The incident has been widely condemned by senior cultural authorities, who describe his actions as a direct affront to Sierra Leonean womanhood and ancestral law.

Massaquoi, who had been enrolled in a doctoral program in China through a Chinese Government Scholarship, is reported to have abandoned his studies following the July 2025 incident. According to sources familiar with the matter, he fled Sierra Leone shortly afterward to China and has now sought refuge in Canada, where he is believed to be living with his daughter. Bondo leaders insist that the child must be returned for initiation “as required by custom,” emphasizing that her removal represents a serious breach of cultural obligations. His departure from China and subsequent relocation to Canada are viewed as further evidence of his unwillingness to face customary accountability.

The Bondo society, a centuries-old institution central to the identity and social structure of many communities, holds exclusive authority over initiation rites. Leaders have described his actions as an unforgivable disruption of established norms, warning that such defiance threatens the continuity of traditions that define womanhood. A senior Bondo leader that we engaged stressed that repercussions for undermining these practices “must be strong enough to discourage future attempts to weaken the society.”

Their stance is reinforced by widespread national support. Despite increasing international pressure to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Sierra Leone remains deeply divided on the issue. Global campaigns, including interventions by major international outlets, have been met with fierce resistance. Earlier this year, The Times (UK) faced significant backlash after its reporting allegedly contributed to the cancellation of Sierra Leone’s First Lady’s appearance at the Global Power Women Forum, following criticism that she has refused to publicly oppose FGM. Many Sierra Leoneans viewed the incident as an attempt by foreign actors to interfere in domestic cultural affairs.

FGM remains prevalent nationwide, with approximately 83% of women aged 15–49 having undergone initiation. Among girls under 5, estimates range between 10–14%, reflecting a trend toward earlier induction into the society. Traditional leaders argue that these figures demonstrate overwhelming cultural acceptance and insist that external actors should not dictate Sierra Leone’s cultural norms.

Sources across Sierra Leone confirm that Bondo leaders are coordinating efforts to locate him, emphasizing that the child’s initiation remains non-negotiable. They argue that his flight will emboldened anti-cultural activists and threaten the stability of traditional governance structures.

As the controversy grows, Sierra Leone stands at a critical crossroads. International bodies continue to call for an end to FGM, while traditional leaders insist that cultural autonomy must be protected at all costs. In the midst of this tension, the case of Massaquoi — now living abroad with his daughter — has become a symbol of the struggle between ancestral authority and modern resistance.

For many within the Bondo society, the message remains clear: custom must prevail, and those who defy it will face consequences, regardless of where they flee.
The pseudonym M. Massaquoi is used to protect the identity of the father accused of violating sacred Bondo customs, following allegations that Bondo society members attempted to kill him.