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World treasure - Mende Mask
 Mende Mask title graphic
Mende Mask. Africa ritual mask as worn by women

Mende Mask

This mask is unusual because it is one of the few African ritual masks to be exclusively worn by women. Originally, the base of the mask would have been attached to a costume made of grasses that covered the entire body of the wearer.

Back of Mende Mask showing plaited hair and neck rings.Masks like this one are used in the ceremonies of the Sande society, a fellowship that represents the women of the Mende people of Sierra Leone. During the ceremony the wearer performs a dance representing the water spirit Sowo to initiate young girls into womanhood.

The features of the mask, particularly the neck rings, small mouth and high forehead, are designed to represent an idealised form of female beauty and the characteristics of Sowo.

Currently not on display. 

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