Stop bringing disgrace to our culture

Culture Minister warns traditional priests to desist from bringing Liberia’s rich cultural heritage to disrepute.

By Thomas Domah, Nimba County

Nimba, Liberia, April 26, 2024—As forced initiations by traditional zoes and operators of bush schools continue across the country, Williams Jallah, an Assistant Minister for Culture at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Monrovia, is warning those involved to stop bringing disgrace to Liberia’s cultural values.

Minister Jallah also warns traditional zones to stop forced initiation across the country, stressing that the culture of the land is very important, so no one should be involved in acts that would bring it to public disruption.

“Culture is a way of life; our old people used to respect our culture, but this time around, most of the zoes are not behaving well toward it. Culture is a school that teaches people how to greet old people, behavioral change, and how to address issues, among other things,” he outlines.

He notes that people should be willing to attend bush schools rather than being forced to do so, which he says is not a good practice for those heading those schools.

The Assistant Minister urges zoes to be professional in addressing matters that have to do with culture.

He notes that continuously forced initiation across the country has led to the arrest of several traditional zones or priests who are currently incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison and other prisons around the country. Editing by Jonathan Browne