SANDE, MENDE TRIBE, HELM MASKE Sierra Leone, 19. Jh. Holz, vollplastisch geschnitzt, dunkle Patina. H. 36 cm. Helmförmige Kopfbedeckung mit sieben lanzettartigen Aufsätzen. Braune, glänzende Patina. Helmet Mask of the Sande Society Mende Tribe, Sierra Leone. Wood, black lacquer paint probably 19th century, 36 cm. Background: Finely carved Bundu helmet mask with fine ridged superstructure and exceptionally detailed incised coiffure, featuring a compressed demurely expressive female face. Signs of wear, age, and use throughout the mask. Bundu masks were created to be worn by an adult woman in connection with the rites of the Bundu/Sande ceremonies. In preparation for marriage and motherhood, young girls starting puberty were separated from their families and brought to a compound to be taught the manners and customs they would need as adults. When the teacher appeared in public with or without her students, she wore a mask and body covering costume, which transformed her into the ultimate spirit of the Bundu/Sande society. As a result of the limited ability to see from inside the helmet, the dancer of the mask usually relied on assistants who acted as guides to guide movement and direction. A full raffia costume would cover the dancer's body, which was stitched through the holes in the mask. Mende legend relates that once transformed by the spirit of the mask, the teacher/wearer of the mask could dive into deep water without being eaten by crocodiles, and emerge dry from the water draped in coral beads.