Sande Society - Sierra Leone, West Africa

Teenage girls being initiated into the Sande Society (Bondo, Bundo, Bundu, Zadegi and Bundoo) - Sierra Leone, West Africa - which initiates girls into adulthood by rituals including female genital mutilation (FGM). It is alleged by its supporters to confer fertility, to instil notions of morality and proper sexual comportment, and to maintain an interest in the well-being of its members throughout their lives. Note the wooden helmet mask and raphia costume worn by the female Sande leader in charge of the initiation

Adulthood Fertility Genital Initiate Initiates Initiation Leone Marimba Masked Masks Morality Mutilation Notions Oct16 Raffia Rite Sande Sierra Villagers Well Being Well-being

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