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 is of the rarer casque style , and has a number of scrolls, or charms, attached to the hairstyle. The mask also has three rectangular mirrors around the hair line; mirrors are more commonly associated with Goboi or Bini masqueraders of the male Poro society.

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Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 415mm x 250mm x 210mm
• Production Date: Pre 1960
• Associated Places: Mandu Chiefdom (Collected)
• Associated People: Guy Massie-Taylor (Collector)
• Museum: Glasgow Museums
• Accession Number: GLAMG:A.1985.13.k

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