By Thaimu Thullah
A group of men identified as members of the Poro Secret Society in Lokomasama, Port Loko District, Northern Sierra Leone, have reportedly declared Sanice Kanu wanted after he narrowly escaped an initiation ceremony that was allegedly intended to install him as successor to his late father.
According to local reports, Sanice’s father, Pa Kanu, was a prominent head of the Poro Society in his village. Before his death, he is said to have informed fellow society members that his son should succeed him as leader in the event of his passing. Following Pa Kanu’s death, members of the society reportedly approached Sanice’s mother, informing her that her son had been chosen—based on his father’s wishes—to assume leadership.
Sanice Kanu, who resides in Freetown, is said to have been raised largely in an urban environment with what sources describe as a more Western-oriented upbringing. This background reportedly placed him at odds with traditional expectations in his father’s rural community. When approached about the succession, Sanice is said to have objected to the proposal and declined participation in the initiation rites required to assume leadership.
The Poro Society is a long-established traditional institution in parts of Sierra Leone and other West African countries. Historically, it has played significant roles in community governance, cultural education, and social regulation, particularly in rural areas. Initiation into the society often involves rites and teachings that are closely guarded and considered sacred by members. In many communities, the society commands deep respect and, at times, fear due to its secrecy and perceived spiritual authority.
Reports indicate that tensions escalated after Sanice’s refusal, leading to threats and his subsequent escape from what was described as a planned initiation process. Sources within the community allege that society members have since declared him wanted, insisting that he fulfill what they consider his inherited responsibility.
Observers note that traditional societies continue to wield influence in certain parts of Sierra Leone, sometimes intersecting with local leadership structures. However, generational shifts, urbanization, and differing worldviews have increasingly led to conflicts between longstanding customs and individual choice.
As of now, there has been no official statement from local authorities regarding the matter. The situation highlights the complex interplay between tradition, personal autonomy, and modern societal change in contemporary Sierra Leone.