By: Josephine Nyeweah in Kenema district
Some paramount chiefs of Kenema and Kailahun districts, together with some key stakeholders, gathered at Giema town, Dama Chiefdom, Kenema District, to perform a special ceremony in the unveiling of the grave site of Saffa Yanie (Dama Yanie) and other ancestors, such as the Lima, categorized into Dowii and Doli. These ancestors of the Dama Chiefdom played key roles fighting to establish settlements across Sierra Leone in the pre-colonial era and worked with the colonial authorities to organize modern-day Sierra Leone.
During the ceremony, they prayed to God for their late parents, who are the ancestors and owners of this land that we love, Sierra Leone, for the president and his cabinet, and the country as a whole, and for unity, peace, and development.
The Jawie cultural masked devils proceeded with the son of the soil, Hon. Lahai Lawrence Amara Lima Yanie, former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, who also doubles as the current PRO of the SLPP, to the court barri and then to the family tomb, where the entire ceremony ended amidst cultural performances.
In an opening statement at the start of the ceremony, the Paramount Chief of Dama Chiefdom in Kenema District, Alhaji Momoh Sandi Fowai, explained the background of the ceremony and its significance for the community and the nation.
He gave a brief background of the three fallen heroes and a heroine.
Grandfather.
MAADA SHEAFFA / SAFFA JAIAH SIACCA/SIAKA YANIE aka SENGBE PIEH (Sowa / Sir Lewis)
(Yanie means Original Occupiers & Conquerors of the territories of SL).
He signed a treaty with the West African government as King of the Galinas Kingdom in 1882-1898.
He was a warrior king & overlord ( Dowii Kohmei) of Jaiahlor.
(Galinass Kingdom) of present-day Sierra Leone.
His leadership drew chiefs from both the coastal areas and inland to a meeting at his Gendema Headquarters in the original Galinas Kingdom, where laws were made and strategies for the defense of the country were discussed.
Records show he had 1808 inscribed on his boats in the Galinas Kingdom.
On his return from the unwilling mission abroad (USA), he was known as (Sir Lewis). He retired as P.C. of Gola Zimmi, formerly Krim, which covers the whole of the Moa Woma including DAMA & Nongowa.
He served as an intermediary between the colonial administration & the natives. In 1906, he was represented in a meeting by his in-law, Amara Serri Hakawa, namesake of his biological son, Amara Lima Yanie, at Hangha. In the said meeting, his wife Humonya Mato was unable to attend. So her brother Serri represented her and her husband King Saffa Yanie. The purpose was to remove the Nongowa Chiefdom from Panguma to Bandajuma District. Maada Saffa Yanie is said to have brought Maada Yavo from Liberia to remove the forest cover on his territories. Records show he died in 1911. Since his death, his gravesite had remained an illustration. To unveil the same had required a traditional ritual to be spearheaded by his blood descendant to unveil the site to the public. It was this ceremony that was spearheaded by his blood descendant, Hon. Lahai Lawrence Leema, on the 4th of February, 2025, at Giema Town in the Dama Chiefdom, Kenema District.
The Jawe Chiefdom authorities requested the approval of the Dama Chiefdom authorities to go ahead with the performance of the cultural rituals to unveil Dama Yanie’s grave site and pass on his royal authorities to his descendant, Hon. Lahai Lawrence Amara Leema Jr. The approval was granted by the Paramount Chief Sandi Momoh Foiwai after his Section Chief, Kamohwa Foiwai had laid credence to the Yanie dynasty as true owners and conquerors of the chiefdom and the country. The Paramount Chief’s approval was supported by his colleague, Paramount Chiefs from Nyawa, Langluama, Falawandor and Small Bo.
The appropriate Jawei chiefdom authority went ahead to perform the ceremony. He shouted Dama Yanie’s name four times in a row, stating that Dama Yanie’s name had been resurrected and his grave site revealed. This was then followed by songs and the beating of the Jawei instrument amidst celebrations. The occasion was climaxed by the pouring of libation and the slaughtering of a he-goat to rest the chiefdom and the country in the hands of his descendant in peace and stability.
As the Dowii Kohmei, the Krim, Gola, Galinas and the entire Moa Woma of the Original Galinas Kingdom appreciate your service and sacrifices for the leadership and the protection you provided for the entire country.
May the brave soul of MAADA DAMAGA TI KEE YANIE R.I.P.
Done by grandson Hon. Lahai Lawrence Amara Leema Yanie Jr.
Grandfather P. C. SAFFA KEBBI, son of Yabai, was brought from Jagbahun to represent the maternal lineage of Amara Lima Yanie whose maternal name was Amara KEBBI Yabai. P.C. KEBBI was elected PARAMOUNT CHIEF OF DAMA CHIEFDOM from 1917 to 1959 to succeed his uncle Momoh Buduwa.
He relinquished his trust duties as P.C. of DAMA to Amara KEBBI Yabai, the son of MD. Mariama Jorpoh Hakawa Yanie aka Humonya Mato, in 1959.
May your soul continue to R.I.P.
By grandson Hon. Lahai Lawrence Amara Leema Yanie Junior.
