PHOTO: Commissioner Yealue W. Yealu said to currently in the Poro bush against his will
By Joseph Kerkulah, kerkulahjoe.rkf@mgmail.com
GANTA, Liberia- The Commissioner of Sanniquillie Mah Administrative District in the northeastern Nimba County has allegedly been forcibly enlisted into the tradition Poro secret society by the Poro Master in Sehyikimpa town, situated over 298 kilometers from Monrovia.
Sehyikimpa is a town situated on the outskirts of the County’s capital, along the Karnplay highway.
Reports say Commissioner Yealue W. Yealu had gone to the town to inquire from chiefs in the area why they allowed the Poro Master out in the day following the death of a prominent Zoe, traditionally known as “Nyan Gon-Gon”.
While doing his inquiry, the Poro Master was unleashed onto the town, causing leading to the commissioner to flee to a house. But commission’s move was prompted by with his alleged forceful initiation into the Poro society by chiefs in the town, hours after his arrest.
Sehyikimpa is regarded as the birthplace of traditional practices in the Sanniquillie Mah Administrative District.
According to report, elders of Sanniquillie Mah administrative district vehemently opposed Mr. Yealue’s nomination by President George Weah in 2021 on grounds that he was a non-member of the poro society, as such he cannot preside over traditional practices in the area.
Speaking to our reporter in connecton to the forceful initiation allegation of commissioner Yealue, the former commissioner of the Sanniquillie mah who’s Mr. Yealue W. Yealue replaced said commissioner Yealue is the son of the district and has been doing well but would need to have sat with the elders to solve some important matters. He is quated as ‘’ You cannot say you are a friend of Crocodile and you do not know water by swimming’’.
Former Commissioner Gabriel Gbanloun maintained that the position Mr. Yealue occupied has some stories, laws, and strategies, as that Mr. Yealue needed to be a part of such group to work well as long as God gives him time to occupy the post. The honorable emphasized that Mr. Yearlue is in a safe hand and it should not be politicized.
Gabriel Gbanloun
The former Commissioner, Gabriel Gbanloun has held the post of commissioner for 11 years and was replaced by Mr. Yealue W. Yealue by President George Weah in 2018.
Asking the former leader of how commissioner Yealue got to the place for initiation, he said: “If you are not part of anything battle don’t thing about it. If anyone from any part of the county do not understand and wants to know more should visit Sehyikimpa for more information.”
For his part, the County Inspector, Mark Gbliwon has declined commenting on the matter, saying that will not comment until Mr. Yealue graduates from the traditional Poro society.
Mr. Yealue W. Yealue comes from the Dahn tribe in Larpeay #2, Karplay City, Gbelay-geh district. In Nimba most of communities Dahn tribal areas are not involved with the Poro or Sandy activities.
Background to the Poro society
According to social researchers, Poro is a men’s secret society in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, introduced by the Mende people. It is sometimes referred to as a hunting society and only males are admitted to it ranks. The poro society was part of the culture introduced by Mende people, migrants to the region as early as 1000 AB. Membership in the poro is necessary for anyone in a position of authority. In addition to enforcing the Mende law, the poro and other secret societies educate boys and girls regulate sexual conduct, and concern themselves with agricultural fertility and military training.
A United Nations release on December 18, 2015 cataloged the negative impact on human rights of some traditional and cultural practices in Liberia, including female genital mutilation, forced initiation into secret societies, accusations of witchcraft trials by ordeal and ritualistic activities.
The report shows that such violations disproportionately affect women, children, elderly people, destitute people, and those with disabilities. Criminal offenses perpetrated through harmful traditional practices often go unpunished due to their perceived cultural dimensions, Ithe report notes.
It adds that cases of abduction, forced initiations, and torture could be in the way of a non-member. Non-members considered to have transgressed the society’s rules, if he/she remain outdoors during Poro activities.