Bonthe District, Sierra Leone – May 27, 2025 – In an extraordinary move to combat growing fears of ritual killings, local authorities and residents of Bonthe District have invoked a powerful traditional curse, known locally as Gbom Sweh, targeting those believed to be involved in the gruesome practice.
The solemn ceremony, led by Mayor Mohamed Mahmoud Robinson and his deputy, Daniel Saidu Bangura, was held in response to a disturbing surge in reports of suspected ritual killings, particularly targeting local fishermen.
Residents have raised alarms over cases where fishermen, especially those in artisanal wooden boats, are pursued at sea by speedboat-riding assailants, only for their dismembered remains to later be discovered—fueling fears of ritualistic practices.
Mayor Robinson, flanked by local councillors and community elders, personally took part in the swearing ritual. According to the mayor, the act was a communal stand against forces threatening the district’s peace and security.
Deputy Mayor Bangura underscored the spiritual and cultural weight of the curse, stating it aligned with the mayor’s 2023 manifesto promise to cleanse the district of all forms of evil.
He cited the tragic disappearance and subsequent death of Sheku Fawundu and his son while collecting mangrove wood as a turning point for the community.
“Their remains were discovered on the same day they went missing, which is unusual in cases of drowning. This confirmed our worst fears,” Bangura said.
Clarifying the nature of the crimes, he stated, “This is not about cannibalism—it’s ritualism. People are being killed and their bodies later found in horrific conditions. This curse targets not just the killers, but their sponsors and anyone who might engage in such acts in the future.”
The traditional ceremony, he explained, consisted of four ritual stages: invoking the drum, symbolizing community call; the chimpanzee, representing wisdom and vengeance; the destruction of the entire lineage of the guilty; and symbolically cutting the throats of the perpetrators.
Local fishermen have welcomed the action. Momoh Vandi, a fisherman from Bonthe Island, described the fear gripping the riverine communities. “Fishing is our only livelihood. We’re terrified to go out at night, and even during the day, we don’t venture far because of these attacks,” he said.
The symbolic curse is hoped to serve both as a spiritual deterrent and a rallying cry for justice, as authorities continue to investigate the disturbing incidents plaguing the district.
