Gonde Mask

This is likely to be a Gonde mask. The gonde is an entertainment masker that appears together with the dignified ndoli jowei, or dancing Sowei, of the Sande society. It offers a parody of the latter by its own dishevelled appearance and undignified behaviour. The mask is often an old Sowei mask that is too decayed or damaged to be used for its original purpose. It is difficult to tell for certain whether this really is a gonde, as it does not have any original features, and has not been splattered with paint, as is common with most examples.

Further Information

  • Type: Masks, headdresses
  • Object: Gonde Mask
  • Materials: Wood
  • Culture Group: Other
  • Dimensions: Unknown
  • Production Date: Pre 1963
  • Associated Places: Bumpeh Chiefdom, Moyamba District (Place Collected)
  • Associated People: Gary Schulze (Collector); S.M. Kaimapo (Collector)
  • Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
  • Accession Number: SLNM.1963.56.23B

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