Sowei Mask

Carved wooden helmet mask used by the exclusively female Sande (Mende) or Bondo/Bundu (Temne) societies. The mask is traditionally worn by a high-ranking member of the society, the dancing sowei, known as the ndoli jowei among the Mende or a-Nowo among the Temne. Worn with a raffia costume, the masks typically have a polished black finish, with neck rings, elaborate coiffure and dignified facial expression. The mask is thought to represent conceptions of idealised womanhood. This example has moulded bumps in her hairstyle, and four arches supporting a sebe/sebbeh, or amulet, for protection. This was originally part of the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum collection, originally acquired at Stevens Auction Rooms, London, in 1934. It was acquired by the British Museum in 1954.

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Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 420mm [H] x 260mm [D]
• Production Date: Pre 1954
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1954.23.3486

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