During the initiation rituals of the Mende Sande society, the sowei (Bundu) mask is worn by a high-ranking woman alongside a full-body costume of black raffia fibers. Which of the following best explains the ritual and performance significance of the costume's complete concealment of the dancer's body?
- It ensures that the dancer is not recognized as a human individual, allowing her to serve as a physical vessel for the Sowei water spirit during the transition of initiates into adulthood.Answer
- BIt serves as a decorative, high-contrast backdrop to highlight the intricate, polished carvings of the wooden mask when displayed in static local shrines.
- CIt is designed to induce a personal, shamanistic trance that enables the dancer to journey to the spirit world and secure hunting magic for the community.
- DIt provides physical protection for the dancer during aggressive, athletic combat reenactments meant to display the military power of the village chiefs.
Answer
The concealment of the dancer's body ensures that she is not recognized as an individual, allowing her to physically embody the Sowei water spirit during the transition of initiates into adulthood.
The correct answer explains that the complete concealment of the performer's body allows her to transcend her human identity and embody the Sowei water spirit. In Sande society initiation, the mask's dark, polished wood and the long raffia costume represent the wet, fertile environment of the water spirit. The performance uses dance to teach moral and social expectations, with the dancer's anonymous presence emphasizing the collective values of the society over individual identity.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The sowei mask and raffia costume function as a dynamic, unified performance medium to embody the Sowei water spirit during female initiation ceremonies, rather than serving as static decorative sculptures.