Sowei Mask

This is a carved wooden helmet mask, used by the exclusively female Sande (Mende) or Bondo/Bundu (Temne) societies. Such masks are 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 a long segmented neck, and wears a lidded pot on its head.

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Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende, Temne
• Dimensions: 489mm
• Production Date: Pre 1958
• Associated Places: Malen Chiefdom
• Associated People: Saidu Kallay (Creator)
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.1958.10.07

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