MONROVIA – Leaders of the National Association of the Kpelle and Kpelle-Speaking People of Liberia have formally petitioned the National Legislature to reject a proposed bill that seeks to abolish the Sande Society and its traditional practices. The petition, dated November 11, 2025, was submitted to the Honorable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives as well as the Honorable President Pro-Tempore and Members of the Liberian Senate.
In the document, the traditional leaders argue that the Sande Society is one of the most respected traditional institutions in Liberia and has for centuries served as a cornerstone of moral instruction, cultural education, womanhood training, and community discipline. They stated that the society promotes values of respect, unity, social responsibility, and identity among Liberian women and girls.
The petitioners made a direct comparative appeal, arguing that “just as the Masonic Craft, which is a foreign tradition, is allowed under our constitution, we request the same be done to the Sande Tradition in Liberia.” They further grounded their request in the nation’s foundational law, citing Article 5(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which mandates the State to “preserve, protect and promote positive Liberian culture, ensuring that traditional values compatible with policy and national progress are adopted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the Liberian society.”
While acknowledging that modernization and human rights considerations call for reforms where necessary, the petition contends that the total abolition of this institution would represent a grave loss of national heritage and a violation of the constitutional right to cultural preservation.
Consequently, the traditional leaders have urged the Honorable Legislature to take four specific actions. They called on the body to reject any bill or motion that seeks to abolish the Sande Society or criminalize its existence. They also urged the legislature to promote dialogue and reform between the Government, traditional leaders, women’s groups, and civil society to modernize certain practices where necessary without erasing our cultural foundations. Furthermore, they petitioned the legislature to uphold Article 5(b) by protecting Liberia’s indigenous cultural institutions as symbols of unity, heritage, and moral identity. Finally, they asked the body to recognize and respect the rights of traditional communities to freely practice and preserve their customs consistent with law and human dignity.
The petition, which was respectfully submitted by Arthur Wahwhelee, Jr., the Vice Chairman for Communications, and approved by J. Lepolu Torlon, the National Chairman, concludes by expressing a belief that cultural preservation and human rights can coexist through mutual understanding and reform, not through cultural abolition. It states that the strength of our nation lies in the harmony between our traditions and our progress.
In response to the submission, the plenary of the National Legislature has referred the petition to the Committees on Health, Judiciary, Claims and Petitions, Internal Affairs, and Gender for review. These committees have been instructed to report back to the full legislature with their findings within three weeks.
