Sowei
Sowei is the water spirit of the Sande women's society, embodied in the black wooden helmet mask worn by the ndoli jowei ('dancing sowei'). The masquerade represents a water spirit emanating from rivers and lakes; it is activated through dance and accompanied by musicians and attendants to teach female initiates about morality and ways of living. In Mende usage, 'Sowei' also names a senior Sande member and, by extension, the mask.