Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
Warning: Undefined array key 1 in /home4/ireplibc/public_html/liberianewsnetwork/wp-content/plugins/featured-image-from-url/includes/jetpack.php on line 12
The late Senator Prince Y. Johnson, a towering and controversial figure in Liberia’s history, was honored with elaborate traditional rites as his remains were transported through key locations in Nimba County. The processional journey, steeped in the cultural heritage of the Dan people, highlighted his legacy as both a political leader and a revered son of Nimba.
The funeral rites were marked by traditional war dances and cultural rituals, practices reserved for honoring great leaders or warriors. Men adorned in warrior attire, reminiscent of ancient times, carried spears and ceremonial weapons while chanting and performing symbolic movements.
In the Dan tradition, the death of a warrior demands that a family member leads the ritual procession. One elder from Karnplay explained: “This doesn’t cause harm to any spectator or visitor. It’s a way of ensuring that the person is laid to rest in accordance with his culture.” These rituals served as a bridge between the spiritual and physical realms, ensuring a dignified passage for the departed.
Upon the arrival of Senator Johnson’s remains in Nimba County, dozens of elders, dressed as warriors, joined the traditional procession. They carried spears and performed ceremonial steps, creating an air of solemnity and reverence.
The Journey Through Nimba
The home going ceremonies began with a tour of the senator’s remains through significant towns and villages, allowing residents from across the county to pay their final respects. This unique aspect of the funeral was described by Moses Gonwoe, a sympathizer, as a way “to ensure those far from Ganta can view his remains one last time.”
Upon arrival of the body from Monrovia, the tour commenced in Ganta on January 15, 2025, where a night of wake-keeping drew villagers from surrounding communities. The following day, the body was then transported to Sanniquellie, where it lay in the Administrative Building for four hours. Citizens from nearby districts, including Yarmin and Yarpea, gathered to pay homage.
The remains then traveled to Karnplay for another time wake-keeping, allowing those in Gbehlay-Geh District to participate in the farewell rites.
On Friday, January 17, the body will be taken to Bahn, where residents of Buu-Yao District will give their final tributes. Later that evening, the procession will move in Saclepea for its final night of wake-keeping, enabling residents from Tappita, Yarwin Mehnsonon, and Gbei-Dorlu to pay their respects.
On Saturday, January 18, the body will return to Ganta for a state funeral at the Prince Y. Johnson Polytechnic University, followed by interment in the same vicinity.
Community Tributes and Reflections
As the body traveled through Nimba, citizens lined the roads in villages and towns to catch a glimpse of the hearse and express their condolences. Tributes poured in from all walks of life, highlighting Johnson’s multifaceted legacy.
The Mandingo community in Karnplay remembered him as a hero and a peacemaker. A spokesperson recounted how, in 1990, Johnson, then a rebel general, rescued over 250 Mandingos, helping them escape to the Ivory Coast amidst the chaos of the civil war. “It was Senator Johnson who paved the way for the arrival of ECOMOG forces under the interim leadership of Dr. Amos Sawyer,” the spokesperson added.
Musicians, mask dancers, cultural performers, and local leaders joined the convoy, adding vibrant elements to the solemn procession. Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung led the tour, underscoring the significance of Johnson’s contributions to Nimba and Liberia at large.
Nonetheless a controversial figure
While the traditional rites celebrated Johnson’s status as a son of Nimba, his legacy remains deeply complex. To many in Nimba, he was a champion of their rights and development, a man who fought for their interests on the national stage. As a senator, he directed resources and attention to his constituency, solidifying his position as a political kingmaker.
Yet, his past as a warlord during Liberia’s civil war casts a long shadow. The rituals performed during his funeral reflect the cultural esteem in which he was held, but they also underscore the broader challenges Liberia faces in reconciling its history with its future.
A Legacy in culture and memory
Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s funeral rites are not merely a farewell — they are a reflection of Nimba County’s identity and resilience. The traditional practices, the convoy of mourners, and the voices of the people all spoke to his indelible mark on the region. While his legacy is layered with controversy, his cultural and political significance to Nimba remains undisputed.
As his remains are laid to rest, Liberia is reminded of the delicate balance between honoring tradition and confronting the complexities of its past. Johnson’s home going was a poignant reminder of the enduring ties between history, culture, and memory in shaping a nation’s journey forward.
