The hostess with the mostess: these ladles honored women for their exceptional generosity and hospitality.
Sierra Leone
Masks like this represent a guardian spirit and allude to an idealized female beauty in Mende and Sherbro culture.
Helmet Mask
Ivory saltcellars were objects created for trade: they were African made and intended for the Portuguese market.
Lidded Saltcellar
Before motorized transport, male and female chiefs in Sierra Leone were transported in these elaborate hammocks.
Cotton hammock (Vai peoples)
These enigmatic stone heads were found in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and perhaps predate European arrival to Africa.
Stone Head (mahe yafei), Kisi peoples
The Mende initiation rite for young women is the only known masquerade tradition where the mask-wearers are female.