Minsereh Figure

This is thought to be a minsereh , or min , figure, though the term has broadly been used to refer to any carved full-length female wooden figures. Min figures are traditionally used as part of the Yasi (Bullom) or Njayei (Mende) society for curing sickness, though they have also been associated with the Sande society. They contain spiritual power which is given to the figure by members of the society rather than the carver. This example is carved from brown wood and has a segmented neck adorned with what look like two vertical horns. She has a typical-ridged hairstyle, with two decorative side disks on wither side.

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Further Information

• Type: Figures, sculpture
• Object: Minsereh Figure
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 540 mm x 605mm [base]
• Production Date: Pre 1959
• Associated Places: Kori Chiefdom, Moyamba District (Collected)
• Associated People: Guy Massie-Taylor (Collector)
• Museum: Glasgow Museums
• Accession Number: GLAMG:A.1985.13.bg

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