Traditional healers change leaf after Ebola

Following the declaration of the end of the Ebola outbreak by the World Health Organization on Saturday November 7 this year, traditional healers in Sierra Leone have engaged in what they refer to as change leaf, a ceremony observed on the last Wednesday of the month of Jumbenteh which Muslims consider as the birthday of Prophet Mohammad.

They said that as for them Jumbenteh should be celebrated in the society bush where they gather more leaves to make them healing powers.

The change leaf ceremony, according to the Chief of Mandae, Musa Yira Koroma, was started in Sierra Leone by the Koromas some 400 years ago.

He revealed that it had been the tradition of their association to get to the society bush once every year to fetch more powers.

He further explained that in the bush they learn more about their traditional practices. He also revealed that this year’s ceremony took place in Kabala.

First President of the Mandae Traditional Healers Association, Sheku Tarawalie who currently presides over the Council of Traditional Healers, warned traditional healers before entering the society bush to desist from harmful traditional practices now that the Ebola virus has been defeated.

He called on herbalists and magicians to focus on positive things that can help move the people and country forward.

Umaru Siseco a member of the Council of traditional healers told this press that with the end of the Ebola war traditional healers are determined and ready to join government in any other fight to promote development in the in the country.

By Ilyasa Baa

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