Minsereh Figure

This is thought to be a minsereh , or min , figure, though the term has broadly been used to refer to any carved female wooden figures. Min figures are traditionally used as part of the Yasi (Bullom) or Njayei (Mende) society for curing sickness. They contain spiritual power which is given to the figure by members of the society rather than the carver. This example has been stained grey. This example resembles a set of figures photographed in T.J. Alldridge, The Sherbro and its Hinterland, 1901, and which are now in the British Museum. They may have been carved by the same carver.

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Further Information

• Type: Figures, sculpture
• Object: Minsereh Figure
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 470mm [H] x 104mm [D]
• Production Date: Pre 1904
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Arthur Foster Griffith (Donor); Thomas Joshua Alldridge (Possible collector)
• Museum: Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
• Accession Number: BMAG:WA505852

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