Colony and protectorate · 1896–1960
Masks,societiesandfaith
The Sande (Bondo) and Poro societies and their masquerades, nomoli and minsereh figures, and the churches and mosques. Pictures of society matters stay behind a notice, out of respect.
Many were made by colonial officials, missionaries and foreign visitors. Titles and descriptions come from the collections that hold them and can carry the attitudes and language of their time. We show them as historical records, not as endorsements. Dates, eras and categories were assigned automatically from those records and some will be wrong. If you or your family appear in a picture, you hold rights to one, a detail is wrong, or you think a picture should not be here, press “Report this picture” under it: your note reaches our editors with the picture attached, and they can take it down straight away. You can also write to hello@dt-ets.com.
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Two boards written in Arabic by a Mori man, Sherbro 1901
Written in Arabic by a Muslim cleric (a Mori man) for a chief, and set on oil palms as protection: Islam and the Poro society side by side. Photographed by T. J. Alldridge, The Sherbro and its Hinterland (1901), fig. 42.
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
PARKS(1899) Freetown, Sierra Leone. New Mission Church published 1899
Parks H.B. (?- 1936) ; Butcher, Charles Simpson; Lankford, John Anderson, (1874-1946) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
PARKS(1899) Sarah Gorham Mission House, Magbele, Sierra Leone published 1899
Parks H.B. (?- 1936) ; Butcher, Charles Simpson; Lankford, John Anderson, (1874-1946) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Female Figure (Africa, West Africa, Sierra Leone, Mende or Bullom style, unknown maker) early 1900s
Africa, West Africa, Sierra Leone, Mende or Bullom style, unknown maker artist · Public domain (CC0) · Cleveland Museum of Art · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Figure of the cult of the dead 1900–71
Original title: Figure of cult of dead label QS:Len,"Figure of cult of dead" label QS:Lpl,"Figura kultu zmarłych"
anonymous · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Bundu (Sande) masquerade (Alldridge, 1901) 1901
Original title: The Sherbro and its hinterland (1901) (14760302876)
Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictions · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Minsereh figures of the Yassi society (Alldridge, 1901) 1901
Original title: The Sherbro and its hinterland (1901) (14760305816)
Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictions · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
The installation of the Sokong of Imperri, with Tasso men (Alldridge, 1901) 1901
Original title: The Sherbro and its hinterland (1901) (14783295885)
Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictions · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
After leaving the Bundu: women in their new dress, 1910 1910
Original title: After leaving the Bundu: modern style
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
HEARD(1910) 01 - A.M.E. Sierra Leone Annual Conference , West Africa published 1910
Heard, William H. (William Henry), 1850-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
HEARD(1910) 02 - A.M.E. Missionary Society, Sierra Leone Annual Conference published 1910
Heard, William H. (William Henry), 1850-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
HEARD(1910) 03 - A.M.E. Seminary, Freetown, Sierra Leone published 1910
Heard, William H. (William Henry), 1850-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
HEARD(1910) 04 - A.M.E. Day School at Senduga, Sierra Leone published 1910
Heard, William H. (William Henry), 1850-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
HEARD(1910) 05 - Choir New Zion A.M.E. Church, Freetown, Sierra Leone published 1910
Heard, William H. (William Henry), 1850-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
HEARD(1910) William H. Heard, A.M.E. Bishop of West Africa published 1910
Heard, William H. (William Henry), 1850-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
BEATTY(1915) Fig05 Poro Devils published 1915
Beatty, Kenneth James, (Sir); Sierra Leone. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
BEATTY(1915) Fig06 Entrance to a PORO BUSH published 1915
Beatty, Kenneth James, (Sir); Sierra Leone. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
"Field photo masquerade" before 1915
Alphonso Lisk-Carew · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Entrance to a Poro bush, 1916 1916
Original title: Entrance (guarded) to the sacred Porro bush
H. Osman Newland · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Sierra Leone, Mende, mask, before 1922, 01
Original title: Sierra leone, mende, maschera, ante 1922, 01
Francesco Bini · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Sierra Leone, Mende, mask, before 1922, 02
Original title: Sierra leone, mende, maschera, ante 1922, 02
Francesco Bini · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Wunde dancers, the "bird dancers", Mano, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Dance, wunde
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
A masked dancer, Kailahun, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Dance, mask
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Poro masked dancers resting between dances, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Dance mask, man
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
A masked dancer with attendants, Mende country, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Dance mask
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
"Juju": a protective object, Mende country, 1930–31 1930
Original title: fotografi, photograph
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
A masquerade with a giant bow, Kissi country, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Pantomim, hut
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The enclosure of the Bundu (Sande) society, Kissi country, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Woman, bundu
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
A carved figure with a collecting box on its head, Kissi country, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Figure, sculpture
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Carved figures said to come from Kono, Kissi country, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Sculpture, figure
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
A society masquerade costume, Vai, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Costume, mask
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Pano and Bundu masks, Vai, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Mask
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Bundu girls in the dress worn near the towns, Bullom, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Men, costume, women
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Bundu girls in dance dress, Bullom, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Women, costume, woman
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Headdress and costume, perhaps a sorcerer's 1930
Original title: Headdress, trollkarl [?], costume
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Dancing girl in Bundu dress (Lisk-Carew postcard) 1930
Original title: Headdress, costume, girl
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Dancing girls in Bundu dress (Lisk-Carew postcard) 1930
Original title: Dance, costume, girls
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
An acrobat's hammock dance at a festival (Lisk-Carew postcard) 1930
Original title: Village, ceremony, hut
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Poro treasurer, painted, Kissi country, 26 April 1931 1931
Original title: Man, hut
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Helmet mask carved with a hairstyle and patterns, collected 1931 Collected by 1931
Original title: Mask
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Wunde society headdress, plaited and covered in painted cloth, Mende, collected 1931 Collected by 1931
Original title: Huvudprydnad, head-dress
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Spindle with a soapstone whorl, Kissi Collected by 1931
Original title: Spindle
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Leather amulet worn at the ankle, Vai Collected by 1931
Original title: Amulett, amulet
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Horn carried by Bundu (Sande) girls, Vai Collected by 1931
Original title: Horn
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Mask 1936
Eberl-Elber, Ralph · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis - Sande helmet mask 1940–65
Mende peoples · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Sierra Leone Freetown 1944 (3830631945) 1944
Sludge G , 2009-08-17 21:20 · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Sande Society Mask (sowei), Sierra Leone, Sewa-Mende people, Monowulo workshop, c. 1945, wood, blackened raffia - Chazen Museum of Art - DSC
Daderot · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Sierra Leone. Mende mask. Bundu (Sande) society 20th century
Original title: Sierra Leone. Maschera Mende. Società Bundu
CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Guinea/Sierra Leone/Liberia. Toma/Loma mask. Poro initiation society 20th century
Original title: Guinea/Sierra Leone/Liberia. Maschera Toma / Loma. Società iniziatica Poro
CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Medicine man's mask 1952
Original title: Medicinman, mask
Råberg, Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Spindle and the shell it turns in, Musaia Collected by 1957
Original title: Spindle
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Chief's cap with geometric embroidery, Koranko, Kabala Collected by 1957
Original title: Headdress, head gear
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Peaked cap with geometric embroidery, Koranko, Kabala Collected by 1957
Original title: Headdress, head gear
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Nazir Ahmad Ali before 1958
companion of Mirza Ghualm Ahmad, and the first pioneering Ahmadi Muslim missionary to Sierra Leone
Unknown author Unknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
WLA haa Female Helmet Mask Mende people In the museum by 1958
Wikipedia Loves Art participant " fresche " · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
WLA ima helmet mask for Sande association 2 Made 1930–60
Wikipedia Loves Art participant " Opal_Art_Seekers_4 " · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
WLA ima Mende People helmet mask for Sande association Made 1900–30
Wikipedia Loves Art participant " Opal_Art_Seekers_4 " · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
MAAOA: Mende mask. Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Made 1850–1950
Original title: MAAOA Masque Mendé. Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinée
Ismoon ( talk ) 12:10, 4 July 2017 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Mende Mask in the Horniman Museum c. 1900
Ethan Doyle White · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture