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 four horns, that meet at the top of the head, and are surmounted by a square sebe/sebbeh, or amulet. It has holes pierced round the bottom for attaching raffia.

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Further Information

  • Type: Masks, headdresses
  • Object: Sowei Mask
  • Materials: Wood
  • Culture Group: Other
  • Dimensions: 360mm [H] x 205mm [W] x 225mm [C]
  • Production Date: Pre 1980
  • Associated Places: Unknown
  • Associated People: E. F. Elliott
  • Museum: British Museum
  • Accession Number: BM:Af.1980.31.1

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