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 an elaborated headdress, surmounted by horns and a rectangular object, likely to represent a sebe/sebbeh, or amulet. It is likely unused as it has no holes for attaching raffia.

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Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Other
• Dimensions: Unknown
• Production Date: Pre 1963
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Mr. A. Sitter, Freetown (Trader)
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.1963.35.01

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