Sowei Mask

The Sande mask dancers emit no sounds as they dance (the mouth of the mask is even closed) but, the gestures and dance, which refer to moral and social doctrines of beauty, serenity, order, control, dignity and balance let the spirit speak. The non-human zig zag movements command awe and respect from its audience. "The power of ordinary women is exaggerated in the dance movements as the mask dramatizes the ideals of Mende feminine beauty along with the non-human and mysterious quality of the spirit embodied." (Cole, p.45)

Variations of Kifwebe masks . The masks with the large peak in the middle are male masks.

Mwana Pwo Mask

The costume worn with the mask is a close fitting net costume with cotton wrappers and false breast. A rattle and a flywhisk are accessories used in the dance. Dressed with care, the dancer of the Mwana Pwo mask instructs women in graceful movement by imitating women's graceful dance motions. The movements of the dancer are very elegant and are meant to teach the audience grace and good manners, which exemplify proper female behavior.

Males compete for the honor of dancing the Nimba. It takes great strength, stamina and vitality to dance the Nimba. This honor is bestowed upon the mightiest young men of the village. The Nimba is lowered over the head of the dancer. A gown of bleached raffia is then attached to the legs of the Nimba that falls down to the ankles of the dancer and a dark cape is secured to the neck of the mask.

The dancer inside looks through two holes between the breast of the mask as he performs the vigorous steps of Nimba, twirling, pacing delicately, falling and rising and on occasion dancing on the roof tops of houses. The dancer is accompanied by drums and women singing, throwing rice, and waving fans and fly whisk. The dance of the Nimba begins early in the morning and continues until sundown extending over a period of several days during which time several master dancers alternate dancing the mask.