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This mask from the Sande Society was worn by a mature woman as part of an initiation ceremony for young girls.
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Although masks can represent either male or female figures, almost all maskers all male. In most African communities, although women are not allowed to wear masks, they still participate in masquerades as audience members. They often perform songs and dance to accompany the masker. Women also assist in creating the masker's costume, sometimes even providing their own clothing for the female figures.
The Sande Society of the Mende people in Sierra Leone is one exception to the "men only" rule. The Sande Society is a society of women responsible for teaching young girls the skills and knowledge to become a woman. The spirit, sowei, appears to the young girls several times in the initiation period to provide guidance. The mask, worn by a woman represents an ideal woman. The mask's delicate facial features, elaborate hairstyle, and rings on the neck represent feminine beauty.
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