Sowei Mask

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 a five ridges hairstyle and is likely to have been carved for sale, rather than use, indicated by the lack of eye-holes, or holes for raffia.

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Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Other
• Dimensions: 390mm [H] 730mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 2010
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Unknown
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.2010.003.03

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