Masking in Mende Sande Society

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Periodical article

Title:	Masking in Mende Sande Society
Author:	Phillips, Ruth B.
Year:	1978
Periodical:	Africa: Journal of the International African Institute
Volume:	48
Issue:	3
Pages:	265-277
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Sierra Leone
Subjects:	Mende secret societies girls' initiation masquerades Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Architecture and the Arts
External links:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/1158468 https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pao:&rft_dat=xri:pao:article:4011-1978-048-00-000021
Abstract:	Public masquerades are a means of mediating between the secret Societies which dominate Mende social life and the general community. The masquerade of the women's Society, the Sande, is of special ritual and artistic interest. The Sande masker, the sowei, is the most artistically elaborated of the Mende mask types. This article examines the ritual context of Sande masking and provides essential background for the understanding of the sowei mask as an art form and ilusstrates the role of masquerades in Mende life. Notes, photo's, ref., résumé.