Question 4
(a) Identify any five features of Bundu mask.
(b) State any five functions of Bundu mask.
Observation
The question was attempted by many candidates averagely. They were expected to respond to the question in the following manner:
(a) Features of Bundu mask
- Produced in wood/cloth/fibre.
- Decorative hairdo/coiffure.
- Tribal marks on the face.
- Ringed neck.
- Fat neck.
- It is about 40cm – 48cm in height.
- It is a helmet mask.
- Eyes almost closed and looking down/slit- eyed.
- Small mouth.
- Large forehead.
- Feminine and beautiful face.
- Painted dark/black.
- Very smooth.
(b) Functions of Bundu mask
- It is used for female initiation.
- Serves as means of honouring women
- It is used to entertain members of Sande society.
- It portrays women as beautiful ones.
- Broad forehead helps to identify women as very intelligent.
- Serves as a social commentary to show that women also have masks of
their own.
- Helps to train women to be law abiding citizens.
- Serves as symbol of social control and discipline among the girls.
- The mask looking down demonstrates women humility.
- Serves as ancestral image that helps to communicate with the spirit.
- It depicts the norms, history and tradition of the Sande people of Sierra
Leone.
- Teaches young girls methods for household management.
- Fat and ring neck helps to depict Mende women to be wealthy.
- Teaches young Mende girls to live responsible adult life.
- Use for entertainment during ceremonial rite.
- Used as symbol of ideal womanhood.