West Africa
The art of weaving was established very early on the African continent. Textiles were made from many materials and a wide range of basketwork was made from leaves, bark and reeds. This coil woven conical hat from West Africa is covered on the outside with cut grasses
Hat from Sierra Leone, c1898 from the de la cour Carroll basketwork collection.
Shirt from Sierra Leone, donated in 1832 but probably collected c1817.
This shirt was acquired in Sierra Leone by Dr Henry MacCormac between 1817 and 1818. He was visiting his brother John who had been instrumental in setting up the new colony. Freetown had been set up as a haven for escaped slaves by abolitionists and philanthropists in 1787. In 1808 when slavery had been abolished by the British government it became a British Colony.
Bundu mask donated by the daughter of a Methodist missionary Dr Naisby Medd who worked in Sierra Leone c1890.
Africa has one of the strongest masking traditions in the world. The Mende of Sierra Leone are the only people who have a masking ceremony for women. The Bundu masks are named after the enclosure where girls are kept during initiation into the Sande society.
The masks are worn by female senior members of the society with an all-enveloping costume to completely disguise the wearer.
Ask an Expert
If you would like further information about this collection you may contact the
curator by following this link and
completing the short form.