Vai or Bullom people, Sierra Leone

14 inches, wood

This is the only important mask-wearing tradition in Africa exclusively for women. In fact, masks are hardly ever worn by women anywhere in the world. They are called Sowei or Bundu masks, and are made for the Sande secret society that guides girls in their transition to womanhood.

These masks, which embody Sowo, the guardian water spirit, fit over the head. They usually include an elaborate hairstyle in an attempt to represent feminine beauty, with high foreheads, small, compressed facial features, and voluminous neck-rings, depicting the desirable full-figured woman. It is worn by Society members during initiation and other important ceremonies. The society is also active in Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Guinea, and could be considered the female counterpart to the Poro society.

Originally many had a dark raffia collar and were worn with a full, dark costume of raffia and cloth. This one has mostly rectangular holes and a few round ones for these attachments, none of which so signs of wear. A broken horn has been repaired and a small hole at the very top has been filled. The mask has probably never been used, nor has there been any attempt to make it look old. According to the seller, it was brought back from Africa in the 1950’s. I’m assuming it was handled carelessly by the original owner or the antiques dealer, thus the external wear. The inside top appears to have been eroded (or eaten by something).

It is a nice design and well carved. The walls are quite thin. It is big— even with my big head I can wear it comfortably. Based on the 13 Bundus pictured in African Art in American Collections, I would say it is well carved, and though rather simple in design, better looking than all of the others.