Sowei Mask

This is sowei mask, 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. This example has an elaborate hairstyle, consisting of four ridges circling the head, and ending in bunches; it also has holes around the base for attaching raffia. This mask was purchased from Meneghini, who identified it as a Gola sowei mask.

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Further Information

• Type: Figures, sculpture
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Gola
• Dimensions: 405mm [H] x 225mm [W] x 270mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 1973
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Meneghini and Mangio
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1973.24.1

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