Mende Culture

The second most populous ethnic in Sierra Leone is the known to as the Mende, responsible for 31% of the total population of Sierra Leone (World Factbook). The Mende reside mostly in the south eastern portion of Sierra Leone in small communities with up to 250 people. Each residence usually consists of several men, along with their wives and kids. The eldest male in each household has complete jurisdiction over the rest of the family and is the primart decision maker. The Mende do most of their work by hand and don't typically rely on machinery to aid them with farming or hunting. Labor is split between the males and females. The Men are responsible for the "heavy work" such as preparing land for crops, while women are typically responsible for tasks that are not as labor intensive such as fishing, cleaning and ridding crops of weeds (everyculture.com) Two major societies that are present in the Mende culture are the Poro and Sande societies. These "secret societes edicate boys and girls, regulate sexual conduct, and concern themselves with agricultural fertility and military training..."(Encyclopædia Britannica).

Mask worn by the Sande Society
(Marc and Evelyne Bernheim/Woodfin Camp and Associates)

A group of Mende men