Project Description
17-377 Mende Sande Society Helmet Mask (sowei)
Sierra Leone
The multi-colored yarn attached to the base suggests this mask was retired and then reinvented to represent Gonde. Gonde is a Ndoli jowei, an expert in dance who is charged with teaching young Mende girls to dance. Instead of the boot camp Sergeant version of the traditional Ndoli jowei, Gonde is the comic relief and giver of moral support. Gonde is a funny, lovable character who lightens the gloom and reminds everyone that initiation is not always so deadly serious.
All of the Sowei/Bundu Masks in this exhibition were collected and donated to our museum by Dr. Pascal J. Imperato and Eleanor M. Imperato.