Minsereh Figure

This is recorded as 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; this example is labelled a Yassi figure . They contain spiritual power which is given to the figure by members of the society rather than the carver. This example is seated on a stool, and has a typical segmented neck.

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Further Information

• Type: Figures, sculpture
• Object: Minsereh Figure
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 765mm
• Production Date: Unknown
• Associated Places: Sierra Leone (Created and collected)
• Associated People: Wellcome Historical Medical Museum Collection
• Museum: World Museum Liverpool Sierra Leone Collection
• Accession Number: LIVCM.49.41.13

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