Zemanek-Münster

Helmet mask "ndoli jowei" ("sowei" / "nòwo") ·  Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3050862

sold EUR 800
Provenance
Helmut Zake (1918-1995), Heidelberg, Germany
Ansgar Fasdernes, Haßloch, Germany
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 28 May 2005, Lot 76
Werner Zintl, Worms, Germany
Size
H: 35 cm
H: 13.8 inch

Description

wood, metal,

The life of the Mende is regulated by a number of initiation societies. The most important are the “poro” society of men and the “sande” (or “bundu”) society of women. The main aim of the “sande” is to prepare girls for marriage and motherhood.

At the final initiation ceremonies, the newly initiated are led through the village by a masked figure called “ndoli jowei” (“the sowei who dances”). This masked figure is believed to embody the guardian spirit of the “sande”- society, called “ngafa”.


The object Helmet mask “ndoli jowei” (“sowei” / “nòwo”) with the object ID 3050862 was part of the auction 102nd Auction on April 13, 2024. The object with the lot number 102 achieved a sales price of EUR 800 with an asking price of EUR 600.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.


Publications

AHDRC: 0114473


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