Liberian Helmet Masks of the Sande and Poro Societies from the Collections of the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology See all the exhibitions.

Masquerading societies in Central and West Africa fall largely under the domain of men. Unique among the Gola and Mende of Liberia are women’s Sande masking societies, in which masquerades are both controlled and performed by females. Women wear carved wooden headpieces and elaborate body costumes, and conceal their real identities. These masquerades present to the public and idealized image of female perfection and power. This exhibition features twenty-seven exemplary, hand-carved Mende and Gola helmet masks.