Sowei/ Gonde Mask

This is recorded as a Sowei Mask in the British Museum catalogue, though its painted state suggests that it might, rather, be a gonde mask. The gonde is an entertainment masker that appears together with the dignified ndoli jowei, or dancing Sowei, of the Sande society. It offers a parody of the latter by its own dishevelled appearance and undignified behaviour. The mask is often an old Sowei mask that is too decayed or damaged to be used for its original purpose, which seems likely in this case, although the gonde is often painted white, rather than blue, brown, and silver. Unlike the ndoli jowei, little attempt is made to conceal the person wearing the mask. 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/ Gonde Mask
  • Materials: Wood
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: 360mm[H] x 220mm [W] x 240mm [C]
  • Production Date: Pre 1954
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1954.23.3493

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