The Mende people are, along with their smaller neighbours the Vai, Bassa and Gola, one of the few African peoples in which women own masks and perform mask dances. Particularly during initiations for their women’s association ‘Sande’, also known as ‘Bundu’. These ‘Sowei masks’ are commissioned by women according to their wishes, however are carved from lightweight, light brown wood by men and always dyed black. The women of the ‘Sande or Bundu’ dance with the masks in processions with their young initiates. They wear these helmet masks on their heads along with full body costumes made from black plant fibres.
The present ‘Sowei mask’ is a very typical example: it has a tall, plaited coiffure, suggested in relief and is crowned with a sort of four-leafed ‘bowl’. On the side there are ‘wings’ that have been carved out from the same piece and are decorated with stripes of geometric symbols and patterns. The forehead is tall and bulging. The characteristic, small, triangular face displays typical slit eyes and far-apart ears. Each cheek shows three customary tribal decorative scarification marks. The nose and mouth are small, sitting over a pointed chin.
The wide rolls that are all-round the neck can be interpreted as a sign of the woman’s prosperity and also symbolise the waves on the surface of the water. In the Mende religion, the woman’s domain was associated with water. At the base this ‘Sowei mask’ wears a necklace made from small, white glass beads as well as the upper part of a mask costume made from black-dyed plant fibres. It is overall a perfect, original ‘Sowei mask’ of the Mende women’s society ‘Sande’ or ‘Bundu’. It has some minimal, age-related damage (some colour abrasion and chipped edges), as well as a smooth usage patina on the outside as well as on the inside. Height: 41 cm (the mask alone); diameter: c. 22.5 cm (the helmet mask below). First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
German private collection.

Lit.:
'Die Kunst Schwarzafrikas. Werke aus der Sammlung des Völkerkundemuseums Zürich' by Miklós Szalay, ill. pp. 32–36; 'Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 435; 'African Art in American Collections' by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 263–269.