Mende Peoples, Sande Society
Sierra Leone

Women in Africa almost never dance wearing masks, so the masquerades of the Mende People’s Sande Society are nearly unique. Mende men take many wives, and every woman is expected to marry after she has been initiated into Sande. Sowei are the leaders of the Sande Society; they appear in public wearing masks and capes of palm fiber. Ndoli jowei (“Sowei who dances”) dances in the sowei mask at the celebrations that conclude initiations and at Sande funerals. The mask fits closely over the head, and the intricate hairstyle, downcast eyes, small mouth, delicate ears, and ringed neck represent ideal beauty.

Wood, pigment, Early 20th century
Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, 2006.1