Helmet mask "sowei" ("ndoli jowei" / "nòwo") ·  Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mende - Vai · ID: 3052008

Description

wood, base

Helmet masks “sowei” are worn by the most senior members of the female “sande” (or “bundu”) society, who are primarily responsible for the education and initiation of girls. The mask figure is called “ndoli jowei”.

Her appearance tells the community that specific stages of initiation have been successfully completed. She also appears on other occasions when her presence is a means of impressing on the community the unity and strength of the female corporate body. She dances at the crowning of a paramount chief or at the funeral ceremony after the death of a chief or important man. She may also dance if another important chief or high government official comes to visit the town. “Ndoli jowei” is always accompanied by a “ligba” who calls out her name to announce her coming.

The “sande” is an important link between different ethnic groups in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The female helmet masks are found among others among the Gola, Loma, Vai, Temne, Bullom, etc. Ethnologists trace the origin of the “sande” back to the Mende.

The object Helmet mask “sowei” (“ndoli jowei” / “nòwo”) with the object ID 3052008 was part of the auction Auction 104 on April 12, 2025, lot number 261 at that time and is currently available for EUR 2,000 in Open sale.

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.

Comparing literature

Phillips, Ruth B., Sande Masquerades of the Mende of Sierra Leone, Los Angeles 1995, p. 85 ff.