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 a diamond shaped face, and a typical three lobed hairstyle, with two horns protruding from the back. It is complete with raffia, attached through a set of holes drilled around the bottom. This was originally part of the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum collection. It was acquired by the British Museum in 1954.

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Further Information

  • Type: Masks, headdresses
  • Object: Sowei Mask
  • Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: 410mm [H] x 210mm [W] x 280mm [C]
  • Production Date: Pre 1954
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1954.23.3491

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