Sande Secret Society Headdress
Item Number SAS1928
$650
SOLD
African art and masks of the Mende. The Mende people of Sierra Leone
number about 2,000,000 and rely on secret societies to control
virtually every aspect of tribal life. The Sande is perhaps the most
famous secret society, and is responsible for initiating girls into
adulthood. Comprised solely of women, the Sande Secret Society
conducts all of its ceremonies in secret with no men present.
Helmets used in this rite are carved from the full trunk of a single
tree, are typically black with a pointed shape, and are worn with a
full body suit.
Because these
helmets are said to be “found” in the jungle where they have
been left by the Sande spirits, the identity of the artisans is
usually never known. Our example features rolls of fat under the
chin signifying wealth. It is 15.5 inches tall, 7.75 inches wide at
the base, and has small holes at the bottom attach a body suit.