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 container adorning her hairstyle and a small amulet, or sebe/ sebbeh, woven into the front. The mask is complete with its black raffia.

Related Videos

Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Other
• Dimensions: Unknown
• Production Date: Pre 1938
• Associated Places: Mendeland
• Associated People: Glendining and Co; R. S. Rattray
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1938.1004.13

Related Objects