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 finely carved naturalistic hair braids, drawn up into top knots, and is unusually thin. The carver of this mask has been identified as Boni of Kopama in Bonthe district.

Related Videos

Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 370mm [H] x 200mm [W] x 240mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 1938
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Glendining and Co; R. S. Rattray
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1938.1004.12

Related Objects