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Background information
Made by: : Individual maker unknown Masks like this are used by the senior officials of the female secret society of 'Sande' of the Mende people. The Mende are a group of people who live today in Southern Sierra Leone. Women play an important and honoured role in Mende society, both as child bearers and sometimes as political leaders. The Sande masks honour women and their vital role in society. Uniquely in Africa it is women not men who wear the mask and costume and perform the masquerade. There is no separate word for mask in the Mende language, it is given the same name, sowie, as the costume, the wearer and the leader of the Sande secret society. The Sande society prepares women for their later role in the family and the community. Young initiates spend a period of seclusion and instruction lasting about six months under the control of the senior officials to prepare them for marriage and motherhood. They acquire domestic, sexual and craft skills and a knowledge of traditional dancing, singing and beliefs that honour the Sande spirits. While at the camp, girls make new friendships which may be carried over into their adult life and they sometimes develop leadership roles. When the initiates re-enter the community as adults, graduation ceremonies are held at which the masks are used. The masks represent womanly qualities and spiritual and physical beauty. The small delicate face, downcast eyes, high domed forehead, elaborate fashionable hairstyle, blackened surface and rolls of fat on the neck are all typical features of these masks. The neck rolls are indicators of beauty and wealth as only the well fed and comfortably-off can achieve this state. The hairstyle reflects women's fashion of the period and denotes status, wealth and beauty along with the necessary care taken in appearance. The prized blackness represents the oiled dark skin of the Sande girls when they emerge from initiation. This communicates and perpetuates fundamental concepts of the Sande society. Male carvers were commissioned by Sande officials to produce these masks in secret from one piece of wood - most commonly the Cotton Tree which is soft, easy to carve and light to wear. The carver would retreat into the forest to gain inspiration from another group of spirits. Some women insist it is the spirits who direct them to where the mask is to be found and deny any human involvement. The skill of the carver is measured by the thickness of the mask. The thinner the mask the more talented the carver. In the past the masks were coated with leaf dye and palm oil to make them shine. Today black shoe polish is often used. A long raffia fibre costume attached to the lower edge of the mask helps conceals the wearers body. The mask is also worn with a cloak and wide cotton trousers that finish in socks or boots so that no part of the wearer's skin is visible. |