Poro
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The Poro, or Purrah or Purroh, is a men's secret society in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, introduced by the Mane people. It is sometimes referred to as a hunting society and only
Sjoerd Hofstra: Boys returning from their initiation in the Poro. Panguma, Sierra Leone, 1936
Sjoerd Hofstra: A "falui" masker, a one-armed warrior spirit. Panguma, Sierra Leone, 1936
Sjoerd Hofstra: A boy in Poro outfit. Panguma, Sierra Leone, 1936
Gustav Bolinder: A masked Poro dancer. No date, 1930–1931?
Sande society
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Sande, also known as zadεgi, bundu, bundo and bondo, is a women's initiation society in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast. The Sande society initiates girls into adulthood by rituals i
Poro
…areas). It is sometimes referred to as a hunting society and only men are admitted to its ranks. The female counterpart of the Poro society is the Sande society. The Poro society was part of the culture introduced by Mane people, migrants to the region as early as 1000 AD…
Sande society initiates marked with white clay and animal fat, called Hojo or Wojeh.
Teenage girls being initiated into the Sande society, Sierra Leone. "The dancers all wore fetishes peculiar to the order, each having special significance. These consisted of several ropes of cane cut into beads and of rows of seeds which had been bored and filled with Bundu (Sande) medicine".
Sande society initiates, Sierra Leone.
Helmet mask (ndoli jowei) for Sande society; late 19th-early 20th century; wood; 39.4 x 23.5 x 26 cm (151⁄2 x 91⁄4 x 101⁄4 in.); Brooklyn Museum (New York City). A vertical crack runs from base of mask to head band at back center and includes a triangular 13⁄4 hole below band