Created around 1950, the carved cylindrical helmet mask has an elaborate coiffure with what appears to be beads on a ribbon around forehead. The mask has Sherbro markings on each side of the eye and no neck rings, indicating that it may not be Mende. The mask bears most of the customary characteristics of Sowei masks, blackened surface, small mouth, nose and eyes, large forehead, and elaborate hairstyle. Holes around the base are for attaching the raffia. Mask shows sign of use and is in excellent condition with the exception of several small chips.
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.
