Escaping Tradition, Facing Tragedy: Agnes Faciann’s Story of Survival and Loss After House Fire Kills Son and Brother

By Joseph Saah Nyumah

April 15, 2023, Monrovia, Liberia – Agnes Chea Faciann, a survivor of domestic violence and a former member of the Sande Society, has opened up about her harrowing experiences, which culminated in a tragic event that changed her life forever.

Initiated into the Sande Society at the age of 13 in 1987, Agnes recalls being groomed by her mother, a leader within the society, to succeed her as a head Zoe. “My mother taught me every aspect of the secret society, and both of my parents had agreed to pass on their property to me when I took her place,” she explained.

However, the outbreak of the Liberian Civil War in 1990 forced Agnes and her family to flee to Sierra Leone. “We sought safety from the rebels who were committing heinous acts against women,” she said. Eventually, the conflict spread to Sierra Leone, leading to their return to Liberia as displaced persons. “By the time the war ended in 2003, I had grown into adulthood amidst chaos and destruction.”

In 2003, Agnes married and later converted to Christianity, seeking a new path in life. Despite her efforts to distance herself from the Sande Society, her mother’s persistent reminders about their agreement haunted her. “In 2017, my mother fell ill and threatened to curse me if I didn’t fulfill our pact,” she recalled.

Under immense pressure, Agnes reluctantly returned to her hometown to participate in the society’s activities, which strained her marriage and eventually led to her divorce. After the deaths of her parents in 2019 and 2020, Agnes faced further threats from her older brother, Joe Chea, a member of the rival Poro Society. “He was instructed to ensure I remained a full member of the Sande Society,” she said, sharing her fears of losing her property and her life.

In 2021, after rededicating her life to Christ, Agnes’s troubles escalated. “My brother learned of my decision and began to threaten me regularly,” she stated. After a particularly terrifying incident where her brother brought the Chief Zoes to her home, Agnes sought refuge in Monrovia.

Tragedy struck on March 28, 2023, when Agnes returned to collect her belongings. “My brother set my home ablaze, resulting in the tragic deaths of my son and younger brother,” she recounted with tears in her eyes. “He brutally attacked me, leaving me broken and unconscious.”

Agnes’s road to recovery began with the help of compassionate strangers who took her to the hospital. Despite the physical healing, she continues to suffer emotionally from the devastating loss. “I’m now living in fear, knowing that my brother is still hunting me down,” she said.

Having courageously reported the attacks to local authorities, Agnes is calling for justice and protection. “The police have assured me they are searching for him, but I feel my life is not secure in Liberia,” she lamented. “I just want to be safe and seek justice for the unimaginable loss I’ve endured.”

Agnes Chea Faciann’s story sheds light on the urgent need for reforms in how the secret society in Liberia is not respecting individuals’ freedom and the protection of vulnerable individuals in Liberia.