KOGBANDI VANGAHUN

Kogbandi Vangahun (18?-early 1890s) was a brave but profligate warrior whose career as a professional fighter was often marred by the distrust provoked by his wild behavior. He eventually became a follower of Nyagua, the great Mende chief, and was made one of his sub-chiefs.

Kogbandi was born at Lablama, in Kenema district, in southeastern Sierra Leone, of Gbandi parents, butn was expelled from his country as a boy and took refuge with Kendo, ruler of Kpeima in Nongowa country, who made him his page. His promiscuous habits, however soon disgusted Kendo, who took the opportunity of his sister’s marriage to a nearby chief, Pandal Yohina of Panderu, also in Kenema district, to hand over Kogbandi as a servant.

At Panderu, Kogbandi was respected for his warlike qualities, but once again his licentious behavior gave offense to his chief, who in consequence sent him on many dangerous missions, which Kogbandi bravelysur vived. When Panda died, he was succeeded by his more powerful nephew Joya, under whom Kogbandi was made leader of the chief’s warriors and became prominent at court. But his improper behavior once again caused friction and he fled to seek refuge with Faba of Dodo, in Kenema district.

Frequently interrogated and regarded with suspicion, Kogbandi had to prove his trustworthiness before being accepted by Faba. To do so, he pledged himself to capture Tupulu, a town that obstinately defied the might of Faba and maintained a sturdy independence. Two days after making his pledge, Kogbandi stormed the town, took possession of it and brought back the leading defenders as captives to Faba. His bid to win the confidence of his master was successful, and he was immediately made one of his principal warriors.

Soon after, news came that the great Ndawa had sacked the town of Panderu and that the chief, Joya, had also died. With permission from Faba, Kogbandi led a force of warriors to bring relief to the beleagured town, routed the enemy, and settled himself there as a professional warrior. For a time he became a follower of Ndawa.

When Faba died at Dodo, Kogbandi returned to serve his son and successor, Nyagua, whom he held in high regard as a great warrior. Together they entered the “Kpo veh” war in upper Mende country, which began in about the 1880s. Kogbandi achieved much in a short time, building new settlements, rebuilding those that had been destroyed, and fortifying those that were vulnerable. Under his leadership, Filo, in Kenema district, rose up again but under the new name of Hangah. Afterwards, the old chief Kaiwa died, and  Kogbandi was proclaimed war-chief and protector of the area.

He continued to make warlike forays, round about 1890, until he had the whole of Nongowa country under his protection. This freed Nyagua from concerning himself with campaigns in that area during the “Kpo veh” war. Kogbandi, however, did not live long thereafter, but died the same year.

ARTHUR ABRAHAM