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 typical five-lobed hairstyle, with a carved relief comb on the left side, and a small piece of bone tied to the back. She is complete with raffia, attached through drilled holes along the base.

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Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre, Bone, ivory, tooth
• Culture Group: Other
• Dimensions: 380mm [H] x 240mm [W] x 260mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 1948
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: William F. C. Ohly
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1948.2.5

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