Kabemba Mask

The Sierra Leone National Museum records described this as a Kabemba, or Ka-bemba, mask worn during the initiation of Temne boys into the Poro society. Ka-bemba means grandfather, or forefather, and is worn by the person who leads the boys into the society bush for circumcision, and then out again. Ka-bemba masks are commonly decorated with metal strip ornamentation, as this one is around the eyes, though they also often have horns. This mask also has a black raffia fringe, commonly associated with the Sowei Masks, rather than the white raffia seen in other examples of Kabemba masks.

Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Kabemba Mask
• Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Temne
• Dimensions: Unknown
• Production Date: Pre 1967
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Mr. Sesay, Freetown (Trader)
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.1967.08.02

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