Kohwoso or Hojo

This is a ball of processed white clay, collected from swampy areas in Sierra Leone. It has a number of different uses including being mixed with animal fat to produce hojo , or hoso , a white cosmetic, or medicine. Hojo is commonly associated with being initiated into the Sande, or Bundu, society, where it is painted on the initiates bodies and faces. Kohwoso is also often sold in tablet form to women, particularly pregnant women.

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Further Information

• Type: Toilet/cosmetic equipment, Domestic equipment
• Object: Kohwoso or Hojo
• Materials: Ceramic, Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Other
• Dimensions: Unknown
• Production Date: Pre 1992
• Associated Places: Freetown (Place collected)
• Associated People: Mrs. Dollie Abayomi-Cole, Freetown (Donor)
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.1992.01.10C

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