Helmet mask of "sande" society "ndoli jowel" ·  Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3041225

Description

wood, strongly encrusted greyish brown patina, black paint, unusual coiffure with horn-shaped projections and headband arranged in triangular form, dam., missing parts (horn-shaped projections), rep. (breakages at the crested coiffure fixed by nails/at the base of the horn-shaped projections nails can be found as well), abrasion of paint;
the highest ranking officials of the “sande” are known als “sowei”, and the mask is known as “ndoli jowel” (literally “dancing sowei”). It embodies the guardian spirit of the society and represents “sande” at all major public occasions, from funerals to important visits or installations of chiefs. The “ndoli jowel” wears, in addition to the black helmet mask, one or more capes of black-dyed palm fibre around neck and waist. The costume includes various traditional herbal charms encased in sheep’s horns, as well as amulets.They are intended to increase the masker’s attractive powers and afford her protection from witchcraft.