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
A Masked Poro dancer from Secret Society Photographed 1930–31
Gustaf Bolinder · CC BY 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
Bird Figure for Poro Society (Sejen) late 19th or early 20th century
Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 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
Helmet Mask (Zogbe) for Sande Society early 20th century
Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 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
Helmet Mask (Gbetu) early 20th century
Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Standing Male Figure early 20th century
Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Ceremonial Hanging early 20th century
Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 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
Helmet Mask (ndoli jowei) for Sande Society late 19th-early 20th century
Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 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
Gongoli Mask late 19th or early 20th century
Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 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
Bundu mask, National Museum of World Cultures (AM-123-1) In the museum by the 1950s, it seems
Original title: Bundu-masker- Stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen - AM-123-1
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
Costume Photographed 1935
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
Drawing of a statue of the Bundu (Sande) society Photographed 1930–31
Original title: fotografi, photograph
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 Bundu girls' enclosure, Kissi country, 1930–31 Photographed 1930–31
Original title: fotografi, photograph
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Wunde society masqueraders as bird spirits, Mende country, 1930–31 Photographed 1930–31
Original title: 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
Wooden mask, catalogued as Poro, Mende Collected 1930–31
Original title: Mask
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Figure, sculpture Collected 1930–31
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
Wooden face mask Collected 1930–31
Original title: Mask, ansiktsmask
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
Carved crocodile-head mask with iron teeth, Bullom Collected 1930–31
Original title: Mask
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 (Sande) society figure in an embroidered apron Collected 1930–31
Original title: Figure, statue, sculpture
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
Standing woman, carved wood with glass beads in the ears Collected 1930–31
Original title: Figure, statue, sculpture
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Wunde society headdress of painted cloth and feathers, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Main ornament, costume, head decoration
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Bast costume worn with a Poro mask Collected 1930–31
Original title: Costume, dress, garb
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Brass ceremonial axe, carried by elders as a sign of rank Collected 1930–31
Original title: Signs of dignity, axe
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Horn amulet with five holes, worn round the neck Collected 1930–31
Original title: Horn, amulet
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
Silver-covered horn carried by newly initiated Bundu girls, Vai Collected 1930–31
Original title: Horn
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
Leather-covered horn worn by Poro boys after initiation, Vai Collected 1930–31
Original title: Horn
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Whistle of a hollow fruit, blown by Poro initiates, Vai Collected 1930–31
Original title: Whistle
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
Gourd rattle covered with seeds, used at Bundu dances Collected 1930–31
Original title: Dance, skaste, rattle
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Dance whip Collected 1930–31
Original title: Piska, danspiska, whip
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
Carved Bundu figure of a woman with a glass-bead necklace, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Statuette, figure, sculpture
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Figure of a woman with a lidded bowl on her head and snakes on her arms, Kono Collected 1930–31
Original title: Statuette
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Figure of a man wrapped in snakes, Kono Collected 1930–31
Original title: Statuette
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Carved bird, black with white spots, Vai Collected 1930–31
Original title: Statuette
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 (Sande) helmet mask crowned with a long-necked head, Vai Collected 1930–31
Original title: Mask
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, catalogued by Bolinder as a Poro mask, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Mask
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
Sowei helmet mask with a crested coiffure, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Mask
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
Mask Collected 1930–31
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 crowned with seven points, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Mask
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Old figure of a long-necked woman Collected 1930–31
Original title: Statuette
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
Wooden mask, smoothed and blackened In the museum by 1953
Original title: Mask
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
Gola Helmet Mask (Gbetu) with Raffia Costume Brooklyn Museum early to mid 20th century
Gola people · 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
HelmetMask-BMA Twentieth century
Mende peoples · CC BY 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
The Poro Secret Society, Groups of Jasso men Probably photographed 1930–31
CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture