Claris Moiwa, a young Christian woman, is currently in hiding, fearing for her life after fleeing an impending forced initiation to become sowie. Residing in Bo District, Claris has gone underground as members of this traditional institution actively seek her out.
The urgency to locate Claris intensified following the recent passing of her mother, a well-regarded Sowie (high-ranking initiator) within the local Bondo network. According to local traditions, the role of Sowie is passed down hereditary, putting pressure on Claris, as the eldest daughter, to assume her mother’s position. While her mother was alive, she effectively protected Claris from being conscripted to become sowie. However, with her mother’s death, Bondo elders have declared that Claris must be forcibly initiated to honour ancestral obligations and preserve sacred lineages.
As a committed Christian, Claris has consistently opposed the practices of the Bondo society, openly rejecting the succession that has been thrust upon her. Family members have indicated that she has publicly denounced the initiation rituals as barbaric and incompatible with her faith. This level of defiance is seen as a serious affront by the society’s elders. In many regions of Sierra Leone, negating a hereditary Bondo title can lead to severe repercussions, including banishment or violent rituals against one’s will.
With her safety compromised, Claris fled her home soon after her mother’s death, attempting to escape the groups searching for her. Neighbours reported seeing unfamiliar individuals associated with the society watching her neighbourhood just before she disappeared.
Local human rights advocates have voiced profound concern over her situation, highlighting that women who challenge these secret societies often find themselves vulnerable when they lose family protection. As of now, Claris’s whereabouts remain unknown, and friends are anxious about her safety if she is discovered by the society.
