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 wears an elaborate headdress with three panels, of what resembles woven basketwork, and two circular plates framing either side of the face. The top of the mask is surmounted by four birds.

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Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Other
• Dimensions: 390mm[H] x 190mm [W] x 240mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 1943
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Alice Byrne
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1943.2.15

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