Ever since I first arrived here, we've been hearing people talking about the "secret societies." No one can tell us exactly what they are, or what they do. Supposedly, they are strictly cultural societies, and not related to any religious practices. Supposedly, nothing bad happens in the societies. Yet, almost anyone we have talked to tells us they would not want to be in any of the societies. There are separate societies for men and women, and each society has it's own area of town that is their "region." Occasionally, for anniversaries or other special days, one or more of the societies will have a parade. We saw one society parading right around our neighborhood several months ago, but we saw another one last week while we were out driving around. Apparantly, every men's society has their own "devil" that comes out whenever they have a parade. Ever since we first saw one, we have wanted to get a picture, so we asked our neighbors if it was allowed, and they said it should be no problem. So when we saw another society parading, I pulled out my camera to get a picture. We got it, but one of the men in the society saw us and became very angry and started yelling at us, so we drove away quickly (the picture on this blog is the "devil" for that society).
Lately, we have been told that for independence day (april 27), all of the societies and devils will come out. When we told our neighbors about our picture experience, we learned even more about the independence day traditions. While they are all out parading, whenever two societies meet, their devils will fight to see which one is better. We are told that every year there are casualties from these fights.
Last night, we had our first experience with a women's society. The group came down from the mountain range in our neighborhood, dancing and chanting. They stopped at one of our neighbor's houses and danced there. Three of the girls were wearing all black, and from what we gathered, they appeared to be the new inductees. After the dancing was finished, they made their way over to a walled compound and disappeared, although we continued to here chanting throughout the night. They were perfoming female circumcision on the new inductees. Although this practice has technically been outlawed, once a girl reaches 18, the police will not to anything to stop it.
Although we are told that nothing religious is happening in these societies, and that they are not practicing any form of devil or spirit worship, it is certainly clear that nothing good is coming out of these societies. And whether they know it or not, the members of the societies are in great spiritual bondage. Please pray for these people, and especially as Independence Day draws near, pray for the entire nation.
Lately, we have been told that for independence day (april 27), all of the societies and devils will come out. When we told our neighbors about our picture experience, we learned even more about the independence day traditions. While they are all out parading, whenever two societies meet, their devils will fight to see which one is better. We are told that every year there are casualties from these fights.
Last night, we had our first experience with a women's society. The group came down from the mountain range in our neighborhood, dancing and chanting. They stopped at one of our neighbor's houses and danced there. Three of the girls were wearing all black, and from what we gathered, they appeared to be the new inductees. After the dancing was finished, they made their way over to a walled compound and disappeared, although we continued to here chanting throughout the night. They were perfoming female circumcision on the new inductees. Although this practice has technically been outlawed, once a girl reaches 18, the police will not to anything to stop it.
Although we are told that nothing religious is happening in these societies, and that they are not practicing any form of devil or spirit worship, it is certainly clear that nothing good is coming out of these societies. And whether they know it or not, the members of the societies are in great spiritual bondage. Please pray for these people, and especially as Independence Day draws near, pray for the entire nation.
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