By Sajor Bundu.
Mariam Kanu from Timbo Section and her husband Umar Sanu from Baka village, Sanda Loko Chiefdom, Karena District Nothern Sierra Leone are presently on the run to save their lives after Mariam refused to replace her grandmother who was an addict female genital mutilation practitioner.
According to our sources Mariam and Umar are presently in hiding to escape death after Mariam stoutly refused taking any part in mutilating young girls and Umar setting ablaze the society’s shrine to save his wife who was captured and detained.
Mammy Sento Kargbo head of Sowe Union Timbo Chiefdom said they are traditionalist and believe deeply in all traditional practices of their ancestors and that anyone who thinks otherwise must find a new home.
“Mariam and her husband dare not show themselves in this chiefdom ever again. What they have done is sacrilegious and we will never forgive them. Umar set our shrine ablaze after we took his wife there for a normal initiation and induction ceremony.”
“It’s a normal practice for members of a deceased Sowe’s family to inherit the work of their demised relative. Mariam was chosen to replace her grandmother like we have done to many other girls her age, but out of disrespect she stoutly refused us for a while, we have no option but to force her into accepting the responsibility. As a community and a nation we believe in taking our young girls through the bondo society (Female Genital Mutilation) to prepare them for life. In there we have series of trainings and ceremonies girls go through to pave their path into womanhood.”
Since Mariam and her husband have decided to pay use in this disdane manner inspite of all the chiefdom has offered them, they will surely meet their doom if they ever return.” She stated.
Lansana Saccoh, youth leader of Sanda Loko Chiefdom said Mariam and Umar did the unthinkable and that they will do all in their power to ensure they pay for their crimes in gruesome manner. He further stated they love their tradition and will defend it from any internal or external forces of whatever kind.
In our investigations, this medium discovered that Mariam lost her genital at the tender age of seven without any knowledge as to what was done to her. We also found out that the couple evade the chiefdom leaving behind their two children both of whom are with relatives who will subject them to similar treatments as their parents.
James Kallon, Police Head of Crimes Sanda Loko Chiefdom said the police cannot interfere in any traditional practices as they also want to protect their lives.
Dennis Turay, Administrative head at the Ministry of Internal Affairs said FGM is not a prohibited practice in Sierra Leone and that the practice has been part of the country’s history. He said such matters are tricky to deal with as secret society leaders usually do the unthinkable to protect their culture. He further stated that the government can’t track them because those barbaric acts are usually done in seclusion without their knowledge and the resulting crime will hardly be heard by anyone.
Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Africa and it can sometimes end in tragedy. FGM involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, often focusing on the clitoris.
The United Nations Population Fund has documented the practice in 92 countries, but it is most prevalent in parts of Africa and the Middle East.
In countries like Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti, a form of FGM called infibulation is practised where the labia is removed and then used to almost completely seal the vaginal orifice, leaving a small opening for urine and menstrual blood. When the woman marries, they must be cut open before they can have sex.
There are no health benefits to FGM. The World Health Organization warns it can lead to urinary, vaginal and menstrual problems, as well as complications during childbirth and death.
In Sierra Leone, it is estimated that 83% of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have undergone FGM.
One of the main reasons for the procedure is to tame a women’s sexual desire. If they are “cut”, it is thought it will protect their virginity and once they are married, they will remain faithful toย theirย husband.
