The mask is shaped like a cone and is worn on the top of the performers head. An attached cloth with eyeholes covers the masquerader’s face. Feathers extend from the top of the mask. The mask is adorned with Muslim medicine pouches. The body of the performer is always covered with country cloth, Raffia extends out from under the country cloth and covers the feet. The small pouch from which the Falui’s powers evolves has been removed from the headdress. Many Falui devils perform showing only one arm. Children call the Falui the one-armed warrior and flee when he appears. The headdress is in good condition.
The mask is shaped like a cone and is worn on the top of the performers head. A small package with Arabic script is attached to the headdress. An attached cloth with eyeholes covers the masquerader’s face. Feathers extend from the top of the mask. The mask is adorned with Muslim medicine pouches and Islamic quotes on bamboo wood strips. A small pouch attached to the inside of the mask is said to be the source of the Falui’s power. The body of the performer is always covered with traditional country cloth, Raffia extends out from under the country cloth and covers the feet. Falui devils perform showing only one arm. Children call the Falui the one-armed warrior and flee when he appears. Headdress is in good condition.
GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Sierra Leone, Mende. The Mende people are a population of farmers. They take tremendous pride in their cultural practices. The society is arranged in chiefdoms of different lineages. The Mende have very strong traditional societies that moderate social behavior and cultural practices. The societies also play major roles with rites of passage, divination, and healing. The Mende mystical and cultural beliefs help to bind people into communities. Notable among the Mende secret societies are the Poro, Sande and Wunde societies.
The MendeThe Mende Peoples of Sierra Leone NA
No
Mende
Sierra Leone
Red-cloth, country cloth, feathers, and cowrie shells mounted on rattan fra
Headdress
2022.01.024
May 2022
Reginald and Celeste Hodges
May 2022
Collected in situ by Reginald Hodges prior to 1979.
