Sowei Mask

A 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 no holes for raffia, indicating it is unlikely to have been used. It is similar to a type identified as Gola; there are a number of similar masks in other museum collections, possibly made by the same carver. It has a typical four-ridged hairstyle, with two horns at the front, and two at the back.

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Further Information

  • Type: Masks, headdresses
  • Object: Sowei Mask
  • Materials: Wood
  • Culture Group: Mende, Gola
  • Dimensions: 450mm [H] x 265mm x 236mm
  • Production Date: Pre 1932
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: Director of the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum
  • Museum: Glasgow Museums
  • Accession Number: GLAMG:A.1949.101.d

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