The Mende female initiation society associated with girls’ transition into adulthood is called Sande.
Sande is a women-led institution found especially among the Mende and related peoples of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea. It combines instruction, ritual, social organization, and preparation for adult responsibilities. Girls traditionally enter a period of seclusion where senior women teach cultural knowledge, conduct, etiquette, and community obligations.
Sande is closely associated with the sowei mask, a distinctive black, polished wooden mask worn by an initiated female leader during public performances. The mask represents ideals including wisdom, beauty, composure, and fertility.
Sande should not be confused with Poro, a male initiation society found in the same broad region. The terms Bondo and Bundu are also used in some areas for related or overlapping women’s initiation institutions, so local terminology can vary.