- Ritual
- Bondo／Sande
- Region and community
- シエラレオネ／Bondo・Sande社会
- Age at the cultural rite
- Variable or not confirmed in the source
- Transition conditions
- Community initiation / New social responsibilities
- Legal age of majority
- Sierra Leone18 years (as reported by the government under the Child Rights Act 2025)Sierra Leone · Older common-law materials use 21. Their relationship to the 2025 Act remains unclear. · Law and supporting sources 1 · Law and supporting sources 2
About the rite
In Sierra Leone, Bondo, also called Sande in some regions, welcomes girls into a women’s initiation society. Older women teach girls about their responsibilities and community knowledge before a public celebration marks their return. Some sessions now last a few weeks to fit school holidays.
Female genital cutting has historically been associated with the initiation and raises serious health and human-rights concerns. Some contemporary initiatives seek to retain the teaching and community recognition without cutting.
Related rites
