Tradition vs. Survival: The Story of Patrick Foday Roger

Caption: Patrick Foday Roger

Fearing for his survival, Abdulai made the painful decision to flee. Under the cover of night, he escaped from the town, leaving behind his ancestral home,and the title that was meant to be his.

In a quiet town in northern Sierra Leone, the death of a respected chief three months ago left behind not only grief but also a heavy mantle of tradition. His son, Patrick Foday Roger, was expected to inherit the chieftaincy title and assume his father’s role as custodian of the community.

But the installation rites demanded something Abdulai could not accept: the drinking of human blood, a ritual embedded in the centuries‑old customs of the land.

Abdulai’s refusal shocked the elders. To them, rejecting the rite was not only a denial of tradition but also a direct challenge to their authority. The custodians of the practice began to pressure him, insisting that he must comply or face dire consequences.

As days passed, the pressure escalated into threats. Abdulai’s life was no longer safe. Whispers of punishment and retaliation spread through the town, and the once‑welcoming community became hostile.