MENDE, BUNDU HELMET MASK with Raffia Collar #22, 32", $2000, © Tim Hamill
MENDE, BUNDU HELMET MASK with Raffia Collar #22, 32", $2000,
© Tim Hamill
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 collar and were worn
with a full, dark costume of raffia on cloth. Those, like this one, with
the raffia include a black metal stand.
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