A 33-year-old man from Freetown, Maligie Bangura, has gone into hiding after refusing initiation into the Gbagbani Secret Society, a powerful traditional group among the Limba people in northern Sierra Leone.
Bangura, who was visiting his ailing father in Kambia, reportedly became the target of society after being accused of trespassing on their sacred grounds. According to his mother, Madam Kadijatu Jalloh, members of the society insisted that Bangura undergo initiation due to his presence at their shrine.
“When Maligie went to see his father, he was confronted and accused of trespassing,” Madam Jalloh recounted. “They insisted he must be initiated. He pleaded, but they refused to listen. Two men detained him, threatening severe consequences if he resisted.”
Fearing for his safety, Bangura managed to escape, fleeing through dense forests before crossing into Guinea in search of protection.
His defiance has sparked outrage within his family, particularly from his uncle, Musa Abdul Bangura, who lamented that Maligie’s refusal to join the society had disgraced them. The Bangura family has a deep-rooted history in the Gbagbani Society, with Maligie’s grandfather and father both holding significant positions.
“Maligie was destined to take over as leader. A ritual was performed when he was a week old to mark him as his father’s successor,” Musa revealed. “He cannot reject this responsibility—it is our custom.”
The Gbagbani Society, which is legally recognized in Sierra Leone, plays a significant role in male initiation rites. However, Maligie’s case highlights the tension between individual choice and cultural obligations, raising critical questions about the limits of tradition in modern society.
With threats against him still looming, Maligie’s future remains uncertain, as his refusal to accept his traditional role has placed him at odds with both his family and the secret society.
