“I Just Want My Son to Be Safe” Liberian Mother Speaks Out After Her Son Rejects Poro Society Role

Monrovia-In a quiet but urgent appeal, Bendu F. Kamara, a mother of six from Tubmanburg, Bomi County, is asking for help to ensure the safety of her son, Lasana M. Sheriff, a young man who has been forced into hiding since this year, after rejecting a traditional spiritual title within the powerful and secretive Poro Society.

By Willie N. Tokpah

For years, Bendu says her family has endured intimidation and pressure because her son refused to accept the title of Dazo, a position of high spiritual authority within the Poro Society.

The role is tied to secret rituals and traditional practices that Sheriff, a devout Muslim, has consistently objected to on personal and religious grounds.

“This is not just about tradition, this is about a young man’s right to choose his own life,” Bendu said.

“My son said no, and now he’s had to run and hide because of it. I don’t know where he is. I just want him to be protected.”

A History of Pressure and Fear

According to Bendu, the ordeal began in 2013 when Lasana’s paternal grandfather, a respected Poro elder, attempted to initiate him into the society without her knowledge.

Lasana, a teenager at the time, was summoned into the bush and declared the next Dazo.

Despite his objections, the ritual process reportedly began anyway.

“He came back sick, swollen, and in pain. He couldn’t speak properly,” Bendu recalled.

“We were told the old man had started the initiation even though Lasana said no. It was like they didn’t care what he wanted.”

Though Lasana physically recovered, his mother narrated that the pressure never stopped.

According to her, after his grandfather passed away in 2019, family members and elders insisted that Lasana step into the vacant Dazo role.

When a cousin offered to take the position instead, he reportedly died shortly after under unexplained medical circumstances.

“They said the spirits rejected him, that only Lasana can be Dazo.
Since then, they’ve said our family will continue to suffer unless he agrees. But my son made his decision a long time ago.”

Forced Into Hiding

By early this year, the threats became more serious.
Bendu says strange men began visiting their home.

Warnings were passed through relatives. Her other children became fearful.

That’s when Lasana made the painful choice to disappear.

“He said, ‘Ma, I can’t take this anymore. They won’t stop.’ And just like that, he was gone,” Bendu said.

“We don’t know where he is. He calls sometimes, but only briefly. He’s in hiding. I just want him to stay alive.”

Immediately after Lasana went into hiding, Bendu said she reported the matter to the Liberia National Police, hoping for protection. But the response was deeply disappointing.

“They told me it’s a ‘traditional matter’ and that they couldn’t do anything. So where do we turn? Do we wait for something terrible to happen before someone acts?,” she opined.

Speaking Out to Save Her Son

Now, Bendu says she can no longer keep the fear and silence to herself.

As such she has decided to speak to the media in hopes that someone, anyone, might hear her and help protect her son.

“I’ve carried this pain alone for too long,” she said.

“I’m not doing this to attack anyone. I just want my son to be safe. He didn’t commit any crime. All he did was say no to something he doesn’t believe in.”

Bendu is calling on the Liberian government, community leaders, civil society groups, and human rights organizations to speak up for people like Lasana, individuals being coerced into roles they never chose, and whose lives are placed at risk for standing their ground.

“This is bigger than my family,” she said.

“How many other young people are going through this, afraid to speak? My son deserves to live in peace, to choose his own path. That is all I want, peace, safety, and freedom for him.”

This account has been shared with the full consent of Bendu F. Kamara, who hopes that by bringing her family’s story to light, she can help protect her son and others facing similar threats across Liberia.