Soweï O Bundo mask

It's a helmet mask of the Mendebelonging to the Sande women’s society and used by the women of the “bassa” people. Sande society has three hierarchical degrees and only those who have reached the third grade are allowed to wear the mask. This is the only female society allowed to wear a mask during ceremonies. Men sculpt masks that are worn by women. Sande society prepares young girls Mende These masks dance when the girls who have just suffered excision leave the sacred forest in which they have received initiation. It's these masks that practice excision. The initiation ritual lasts from one to two months, usually during the school period. The mask is called sowei, the spirit that embodies it ngafa (spirit of waters) and the carrier, clothed, is named after Ndoli jowei, which manifests three times during the initiation period. At its end, three days of celebration will culminate in a purifying bath that will free them from all the prohibitions on them during initiation. And they're ready to get married.

These masks are characterized by soft and balanced feminine features even if it is intended to represent spirits of male ancestors. They usually present abundant neck folds, a feminine symbol of beauty and prosperity. In this case it is a mask of solid appearance, compact and heavy, in sum an imposing appearance. The hairstyle, with fine braids, is separated into two symmetrical parts, topped in point.

Dark patina.