A report coming in says a 30-year-old man named Prince Rulinton Jimmy has fled Liberia after refusing to join the Poro Society, a traditional male initiation group that has long been a cornerstone of cultural identity across the country.
However, information had it that Prince Rulinton jimmy firm decision to reject the Poro Society, which his father, Boimah Jimmy insisted he join, has led to widespread debate about the struggle between tradition and individual rights in the Liberian society.
Jimmy, a promising individual with dreams and a committed Christian, grew up in Mambah-Kaba District Margibi Kakata Liberia, his father elder Jimmy, who is a respected elder and key decision maker in the Poro Society and the District alarge, has always held strong beliefs about the importance of the country’s Poro Society.
But his son has long been against the practice, lamenting that the Poro Society represent a life he did not want to live even though he is a committed Christian and is not willing to represent the culture and traditional practices of his father and forefathers.
Nevertheless, the conflict between the son and his father later took a different trend when his father insisted that his son must participate in the Poro initiation ceremony, which involves a series of secretive rituals and teachings.
Jimmy, feeling trapped and pressured by his father and traditional leaders, made the difficult decision to leave his home for an unknown destination because if he stayed, there was a possibility of him losing his life or being made to forcefully join the society.
According to our reporter, son of elder Jimmy, on Monday, Sepetember 6, 2021, packed his small bag and departed his home for his aunty’s Nanu Nassau place to seek refuge, who then encouraged him not to stay at her place because his father will definitely go and check to her place so she encouraged him to leave and sponsor his trip out of the Country to find a safe place.
After days of going missing, coupled with the lack of communication, Jimmy father then began the process of pursuing his son from early July up to September before he could finally depart the country for an unknown destination overnight.
Before leaving the country, Jimmy, in conversation with our reporter, narrated, “I respect my father, but I am committed to my religion as a Christian and also have my dreams. I want to pursue my passion and dreams and not be to confined to the expectations of tradition.”
“I knew that if I stayed, I would have lost my life and to give up my dreams and join something against my will, which I feel is not worthy of joining as such; I couldn’t let that happen. Honestly, I am scared, but I don’t want to live a life that I don’t like or mine,” he added.
In response to his son’s decision, elder Jimmy expressed his regret and asserted, “It is frustrating and disheartened to see my son behaving in such a way because this issue is a rite of passage and my son must be found by all cost to replace me.
Elder Jimmy said that he is broken because he have betrayed his ancestors and tradition,” he explained.
When asked what his son’s refusal to join the Poro Society meant for their family, elder Jimmy added, “He has brought, if not bringing shame to our family, village, culture and traditions because as key decision maker of the Poro Society, it banding that my honour be turned over to my son and with this being said, I will do all I can, ensuring my son join the Poro Society which is mandatory.”
But in recent years, there has been a growing movement and concern among young people, including the international community, to challenge the necessity of such traditions, especially when the conflict with personal aspirations.
Also Jimmy story is not just about a young man’s flight from tradition but a reflection of broader societal norms in Liberia, which has witnessed many young Liberians being initiated into traditional activities against their will and pleasure.