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Sowei Mask of
the Bundu Society Wood;
African Art Museum
Collection,
Gift of Dr. Keneth Rosenbaun |
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 Among the Bassa of Liberia and the Mende of Sierra Leone
the men's Poro Society and the Women's Bundu Society exert very strong control
over the lives of the people. The Sowei masks are sculpted by men, but worn by
women (most African masks are carved and worn by men, sometimes impersonating
women). The masked and costumed dancers, women of rank in society, appear
during ceremonies involving an age group of young girls who have undergone
three months of seclusion in the forest. While there, the girls make the
transition from child to woman, learning the arts necessary to a successful
wife and mother. The Sowei mask, representing the spirits of fecundity is a
helmet mask, fitting over the dancer's head. Its distinguishing marks - the
high domed forehead, elaborate crested coiffure, half-closed eyes, prim mouth,
scarification marks and rings of flesh around the neck represent standards of
beauty for a Mende or Bassa woman. The turtle on the crest of the mask in the
center is an attribute of the Bundu spirit, who lives in the waters of streams,
rivers and lakes. The neck rings symbolize the ripples made by the spirit as
she breaks the surface of the water. Note the handling of the face on the Bassa
as opposed to the Mended masks. |
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