In ancient times, the elderly women of the Mende used masks like this one during the rites of passage to adulthood called Bundu, to explain to the girls how to behave with regard to the various household chores that would soon affect their lives and families. They explained to them how to manage money, keep a house, respect their husbands, etc..
They taught the young women the social rules not only verbally, but also visually through four aesthetic traits common to all masks used in Bundu rituals: first, the hair must always be neatly coiffed, only crazy women go around unkempt. Second, the broad forehead denotes intelligence and open-mindedness. Third, the rolls of fat on the neck represent beauty, prosperity and wealth. Fourth and last: always keep your mouth shut.
These four teachings are always found expressed visually in every single mask of the Mende and their neighbours, and this one reproduced here expresses these concepts concretely in an exquisite harmony of elaborate shapes and masterfully realised aesthetic canons.
Used in many rituals, given the thick colouring applied and refreshed at every single ceremony, this splendid mask was originally characterised by an even more complex and elaborate hairstyle (note on the front and back the two Islamic gris gisi), but damaged by time and wear, it has been repaired 'in situ' with an engraved plate at the top, which has also been damaged.
Many words can be spent to describe the authenticity and antiquity of this mask, but none can be as convincing as an objective physical fact. This hardwood mask, with four nails used for restoration, weighs only 610 grams today.
Attached we present a photograph taken by Tiziano Ortolani in Reims, France and commissioned by Rene Druart to be used in the cataloguing project of his own collection of African art.