Mende

The Mendelike its Temme neighbours, they are one of the largest ethnic groups in Sierra Leone. They are also present in Liberia in fewer numbers. Mostly Muslims are implanted in the south-east, in small villages that do not usually exceed 250 People. They belong to the Mandé group. They suffered the ravages of slave trade and slavery. As most of the peoples of these lands are mainly engaged in rice cultivation. The Mende They are polygamists and live in patriarchy in large family units. Men belong to Poro society, whose initiation they receive at the time of adolescence. Women gather in Sande society. The initiation into Pore lasts seven years during which adolescents become men and in the meantime learn about ethnicity and start in secret language. They receive complete cultural, moral and social training and learn the sense of solidarity and responsibility. They are formed by classes of age higher than theirs. Women enter Sande society after receiving initiation upon reaching puberty. Young women are prepared to assume the responsibilities of adult women and family and social responsibilities. The goal of Sande society is to promote love, justice and harmony. The Sande woman must be a model in the community. It is one of the few African women's societies that wear masks. These sowei masks represent the feminine ideal of beauty, characterized by the folds of the neck.