Sowei Mask

This resembles a 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 is an early eastern Mende example, with a particularly high forehead and an oval, ridged, mouth. She has a three lobed hairstyle, and is accompanied by raffia, attached through holes drilled around the bottom, as well as the woven cloth trousers and shirt. The staff was collected by C.D. Hotobah During, a well-known Krio Barrister.

Related Videos

Further Information

  • Type: Masks, headdresses
  • Object: Sowei Mask
  • Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: 610mm x 230mm x 230mm
  • Production Date: 1913
  • Associated Places: Sierra Leone (Created); Kenema District: Blama (Collected)
  • Associated People: C.D. Hotobah During (Collector); A. Ridyard (Donor)
  • Museum: World Museum Liverpool Sierra Leone Collection
  • Accession Number: LIVCM.12.5.14.14

Related Objects

Sowei Mask

Masks, headdresses

Sowei Mask

Masks, headdresses

Sowei Mask

Masks, headdresses

Sowei Mask

Masks, headdresses

Sowei Mask

Masks, headdresses