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 wears an elaborate headdress consisting of a panels band running around the head, and securing four horns which point upwards. The mask is surmounted by an Ashanti-umbrella type object.

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Further Information

• Type: Masks, headdresses
• Object: Sowei Mask
• Materials: Wood
• Culture Group: Mende, Sherbro
• Dimensions: 381mm [H]
• Production Date: Pre 1967
• Associated Places: Bonthe
• Associated People: Mr. J. Caulker
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.1967.06.02

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