KOINADUGU BONFIRE

KATHAWUYA VILLAGE & MR. DIE

APRIL 24, 2014

The last bonfire I will witness for this season took place in Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom, Kayakor Section, Kathawuya Village.  This village is the place where Mohamed Savage, the man called Mr. Die during the war, made his last stand towards the end of the war.

A huge pit was dug by his men into which he was to throw the villagers and bury them alive, if they did not help him.  Fortunately, he was captured before any of that took place.  However, the stories of what he and his men did do during his reign of terror in the villages of this section were told this night.

There was thought about bringing Mohamed to the bonfire so he could ask for forgiveness.  He has asked for forgiveness in his home district of Kono, but has never been to Koinadugu for the same purpose.  The people want to know why.  

After conferring with the Paramount Chief, it was decided more preparation was needed on many different levels and a special bonfire will be held at a later date specifically for the purpose of Mohamed’s request for forgiveness and the villagers’ need to confront him.

Almost every testimony given I heard revolved around Mohamed and his men’s actions.  All were poignant, detailed, heart breaking, yet the relief in the voices of the tellers was palpable.  To release this pent up trauma was a new way forward for them.

One particular story touched me on a very deep level.  Not only because of what happen but also because of how it was told by the victim.  This was a difficult story to hear and will be a difficult one to read, so go no further if you feel this may be too much.

Mr. Die and his men entered this woman’s village.  She had a babe in arms and one in her belly.  After harassing  the woman, her child was thrown into the bush where she could hear it crying.  At some length she was allowed to go rescue him.

At that point Mohamed told her to choose: her child’s life or her life and the life of her unborn child.  She refused to make the choice.  He then took her child from her and threw him into the fire where she was forced to watch and listen as he burned to death.  The next morning she was commanded to go through the ashes and remove the remains of her child.

She said she will never forget what happened, but that she now has seven healthy children and she needs to cleanse herself of this trauma to go forward.  She realizes she cannot change the past but she can’t let the past poison her life now and the lives of her other children by filling her heart with hate.  She is willing to forgive.

The next morning the Honoring the Ancestor’s Ceremony was held.  A bowl of water with many Kola

Preparing for Ancestor Ceremony

Nuts floating in it was set before a white sheep who drank from it.  Prayers were said, the sheep slaughtered and the kola nut water poured on the ground.  A bull calf was also slaughtered as an additional sacrifice.  Yes, I watched it all and even took pictures this time.  Can’t say I felt any less squeamish though and, no, I will not post those pictures here.

Praying & Petting the Sheep 

I have mentioned in other blogs how blessed I am to have the privilege to serve with Fambul Tok and how much I love the people.  An old woman in the village stopped me as I was going to the car to leave.  She grasped my hands and bowed wishing me luck and giving me thanks in her language of Limbe.  Continuing to hold her hands, I bowed to her and returned her sentiment in her language.  As I looked into her  shining eyes, I could see her beautiful soul.  She pointed to her eyes and then to mine acknowledging the connection.

Words cannot express how I still feel...........

Much Love To You All,

Mom/Grandma Syrup/Sara