PHOTO: Traditional response to zeroing in on alleged evil doers
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
The CDC government through the Ministry of Internal Affairs has ordered a licensed traditional herbalist to get to the bottom of “witchcraft” activities that are causing the mysterious disappearances of people and ritualistic killings in Picnicess, Liberia’s southeastern Grand Kru County.
President George Manneh Weah hails from this county.
The move follows a petition statement from locals in this area earlier in July this year in the County to expose those allegedly behind the evil act.
But Sassywood and similar practices, a trial by ordeal was banned in Liberia many years ago.
In July this year, residents of the Picnicess Community petitioned the government through the local County administration of Grand Kru County to find solution to this age old nightmare or traditional habits in the area.
Read by Alphonso Nyemoh at the Administrative Building in Barclayville, the petition stated that the ugly situation has not only put everyone in a state of total fear, but also scaring away investors including visitors and want the government to find amicable remedy to their plight.
Citizens in Pinicess said they are tired with the continuous ritualistic killings and mysterious disappearances of residents in the area.
They staged a peaceful protest after the recent mysterious death of a Class Room Teacher and Catechist Joseph Nyenplu, who went missing while on a fishing expedition on June 30, 2020.
The Picnicess residents claimed that 50 peoples have died in similar fashion in recent times and called on the government through the Ministry of Internal Affairs to help cleanse the area or ritualistic activities, with aid from a Traditional “country doctor” identified as Tamba Bondo.
Grand Kru County Superintendent Dorris Ylatuh assured protesters at the time of what he called government’s swift action.
Superintendent Ylatuah expressed condemnation over the wave of ritualistic killings and mysterious disappearances in Picnicess and vowed the government commitment to take appropriate actions to bring the situation under control.
Back in May of 2018, a 75-year-old commissioner went missing, but he is yet to be found.
Also in March of this year, two men went on fishing trip in the area, they are yet to be seen and several other instances.
For his part, Tamba Bondo the traditional herbalist is currently in Picnicess, Grand Kru County with consent of the local authorities through a letter from the Internal Affairs Ministry to carry out his traditional performance that will put an end to the delivlish acts in the area.
Speaking to team of Journalists on Saturday August 15 2020 in Picnecess, Mr Tamba Bodno said he has come “to wash the land’ planted by people believed to be witchcrafts.
Traditional Herbalist Bondo indicated that the government of Liberia is aware of his traditional performance in the county based on request made by residents of Picnecess community to deliver their area from ritualistic activities and expose those who behind the alleged act.
Mr. Bombo is encouraging communities that are seeking traditional delivery like the Picnecess community to kindly call upon him as he currently in Grand Kru County.
However, Mr. Bondo is expected to begin his official works on Monday August 17, 2020 and called on citizens to witness the performance of the traditional rituals.
Herbalist Bondo has been in almost all parts of Sinoe County, exposing alleged witches and wizards, telling them what they have done or what they are dealing with in the area and he expected to do the same in Picnicess Grand Kru County.
Meanwhile, Grand Kru County Superintendent Doris Nlantun has confirmed to the press that she received herbalist Tamba Bondo in collaboration with the local Council, who assist Bondo during his traditional performance.