Case file · Folklore / legend
The Kamajors' bulletproof initiation
During Sierra Leone's civil war, the Kamajors, Mende hunter militias that grew into the Civil Defence Forces from about 1996, held initiations that were said to make fighters immune to bullets.
1996 CE · 7.96, -11.74 · status: claim
The account
Initiates followed taboos (no sex before battle, no looting) for the protection to hold. Initiators such as Allieu Kondewa held great influence; the Special Court for Sierra Leone later tried CDF leaders, including Kondewa, for war crimes.
The sceptical view
Fighters died despite initiation; failures were blamed on broken taboos. Researchers stress the morale and discipline the rituals gave.