MENDE ART, Sierra Leone


     

MENDE
Masks 1



 MENDE
Figures

 MENDE STYLE
Object 7

MENDE STYLE
Spoon 1



 

MENDE
Masks 1
SOLD

 

MENDE
Masks 2
SOLD

 

MENDE
Costume 1
SOLD

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

MENDE ART, Sierra Leone

Bundu (or Sande), a women's association, is almost unique in Africa in that it controls the use of these masks, which embody Sowo, their guardian spirit. The masks usually include an elaborate hairstyle and attempt to represent serene feminine beauty, with high foreheads, small, compressed facial features, and voluminous neck-rings, depicting the desirable full-figured woman. Originally all had a dark raffia collarand were worn with a full, dark costume of raffia on cloth.

Mende figures are less well known than their helmet masks.

GO TO MENDE MASKS 1 PAGE

GO TO MENDE MASKS 2 PAGE

GO TO MENDE FIGURES PAGE

GO TO MENDE OBJECTS PAGE

RETURN TO MASKS AND HEADS PAGE

RETURN TO NEW ADDITIONS

HOMEPAGE

 Index by
TRIBE

 Index by
OBJECT

CONTACT US