How we lived
Dress
Country cloth and gara, church and wedding clothes, uniforms and city fashion.
← Everyday lifeFrom the archive
69 items · page 1 / 2Fabanna, Paramount Chief of the Vassa country, 1901 1901
Original title: Fabanna, Paramount Chief of the Vassa country
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Chief Kai Lundu of Luawa in his gown, 1901 1901
Original title: The late Chief Kai Lundu, Luawa, Upper Mendi
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Weaving country cloth on a narrow loom, Upper Mende, 1901 1901
Original title: Weaving country cloth on a native loom, Upper Mendi
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
A dying native industry: weaving fine cloth in a barri at Gigbehma, Tunkia country, 1910 1910
Original title: A dying native industry: weaving a fine cloth from country-grown cotton that has been treated with native vegetable dyes, within a barri or palava house, at the town of Gigbehma, in the Tunkia country
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
A Mandingo man in war dress covered in gris-gris, each holding a verse of the Koran, 1910 1910
Original title: A Mandingo in fetish war dress: a mass of gre-gre charms, each containing a quotation from the Koran in Arabic
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
After leaving the Bundu: women in their new dress, 1910 1910
Original title: After leaving the Bundu: modern style
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
A travelling palm-wine seller; Alimami Momo, chief of the Temne in Freetown, 1910 1910
Original title: An itinerating palm-wine seller; Alimami Momo, the Chief of the Timinis at Freetown
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Kutubu, Paramount Chief of Upper Bambara, with his secretary, Pendembu, 1910 1910
Original title: Kutubu, the Paramount Chief of Upper Bambara, with his secretary
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows nudity. Many old pictures like this were taken by European visitors, colonial officials and missionaries, and we often cannot know whether the people in them agreed.
Mende woman spinning country-grown cotton, 1910 1910
Original title: Native woman spinning country-grown cotton, Mendiland
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
The installation of the Sokong of Imperri, with Tasso men in their headdresses, 1910 1910
Original title: The installation of a great chief, the late Sokong of Imperri
T. J. Alldridge · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
BEATTY(1915) Fig10 Weaving country cloth published 1915
Beatty, Kenneth James, (Sir); Sierra Leone. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Mende, Temne and Kono chiefs gathered at Moyamba, 1916 1916
Original title: Gathering of Mendi, Temne and Konnoh chiefs at Moyamba
H. Osman Newland · Public domain · Internet Archive · Source ↗ · Report this picture
A man in uniform in front of a house, Kissi country, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Man, hut, uniform
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
A society masquerade costume, Vai, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Costume, mask
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Bundu girls in the dress worn near the towns, Bullom, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Men, costume, women
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Bundu girls in dance dress, Bullom, 1930–31 1930
Original title: Women, costume, woman
Bolinder, Gustaf Wilhelm · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Headdress and costume, perhaps a sorcerer's 1930
Original title: Headdress, trollkarl [?], costume
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Four women sat on the ground, spinning cloth 1934–36
Original title: SierraLeone Hofstra 088
Sjoerd Hofstra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
1960s urban African fashion (2536309523) 1968
John Atherton · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
1960s urban african fashion - closeup (2790471246) 1968
John Atherton · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Woman in traditional dress, Sierra Leone 2012
Steve Evans · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Man selling jewellery, Freetown, Sierra Leone 2015
Freetown sl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Man selling country cotton 2016
Freetown sl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Casual dress in Rogbonko, Sierra Leone (April 2021) 2021
Darnell Clayton · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Straw weaving in Rogbonko, Sierra Leone (April 2021) 2021
Darnell Clayton · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
White wedding ceremony in Sierra Leone culture 2026
Paul Lamin Musa · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Costume Photographed 1935
Eberl-Elber, Ralph · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Head-dress used in Burdu Secret Society, Sierra Leone Probably before 1936
CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Bondu girls in full dress, hair dressed high (Lisk-Carew postcard) 1930
Original title: Portrait, women, costume
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows nudity. Many old pictures like this were taken by European visitors, colonial officials and missionaries, and we often cannot know whether the people in them agreed.
Weaving cotton for making native cloth (Lisk-Carew postcard) 1930
Original title: Spindle, spinning, women
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows nudity. Many old pictures like this were taken by European visitors, colonial officials and missionaries, and we often cannot know whether the people in them agreed.
Dyeing native threads for making cloths, Sierra Leone Protectorate (Lisk-Carew postcard) 1930
Original title: Women, cotton, huts
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Dancing girl in Bundu dress (Lisk-Carew postcard) 1930
Original title: Headdress, costume, girl
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Dancing girls in Bundu dress (Lisk-Carew postcard) 1930
Original title: Dance, costume, girls
Lisk-Carew, Alphonso · Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Dyeing Native Threads for making Cloths, Sierra Leone Protectorate Lisk-Carew postcard, c. 1905–1920s
Original title: SierraLeoneP001
Lisk-Carew Brothers, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Copyright Sierra Leone: photographs: 50 years after publication. See http://www.sierra-leone.org/Laws/2011-08.pdf ( · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Wunde society headdress, plaited and covered in painted cloth, Mende, collected 1931 Collected by 1931
Original title: Huvudprydnad, head-dress
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Blue and purple gara lappa with diagonal white lines 1982
Original title: Cloth
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Blue and purple gara lappa with diagonal white lines (second cloth) 1982
Original title: Cloth
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Green-brown gara cloth with white zigzags 1982
Original title: Cloth
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Dark blue gara cloth with a light blue tied pattern 1982
Original title: Cloth
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Rust-brown gara cloth with rows of tied marks 1982
Original title: Cloth
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Cloth 1982
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Gara cloth with a map of Africa tied in small circles 1982
Original title: Cloth
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Blue wax-resist cloth with large white patches 1982
Original title: Cloth
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Brown gara dress with tied oblong pattern and belt 1983
Original title: Dress, belt
Kadiato Kamara · Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Ronko: dyed and stamped trousers, jacket and cap (Limba: huron) 1983
Original title: Costume
Public domain (CC0) · Wereldmuseum (National Museum of World Cultures) · Source ↗ · Report this picture
This picture shows a Poro or Sande (Bondo) society ceremony, dancer or object. Some of what the societies do is for members only; it is shown here for its history
Brooklyn Museum 2004.77.1 Gbini Mask
Brooklyn Museum · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Country cloth: white with black and red patterns Collected 1930–31
Original title: Tissue, weave
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Narrow-loom cloth strip with a brown centre stripe, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Woven cloth, stmele., cloth
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Narrow-loom cloth strip, brown with a dark brown and blue stripe, Vai, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Woven cloth, cloth, fabric
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Woven cotton strip embroidered in black, Vai, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Cloth, woven cloth, fabric
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Narrow-loom cloth strip, white with light brown stripes, Vai, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Woven cloth, cloth, fabric
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Embroidered cotton gown, Musaia In the museum by 1974
Original title: Costume, garb
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Round cap embroidered all over in coloured flat stitch, Musaia In the museum by 1974
Original title: Headdress, costume, garment
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Man's gown of indigo-blue cotton Collected 1930–31
Original title: Clothing, costume, garb
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Old broom bound with cloth and fibre Collected 1930–31
Original title: Sopkvast, broom
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Loom heddles of wood and bast cord, Mende, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Weaving, shed
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Loom heddles, newly made and not yet mounted, Mende, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Weaving, shed
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Loom heddles, Mende, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Weaving, shed
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Wunde society headdress of painted cloth and feathers, collected 1931 Collected 1930–31
Original title: Main ornament, costume, head decoration
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture
Bast costume worn with a Poro mask Collected 1930–31
Original title: Costume, dress, garb
Public domain (CC0) · Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm · Source ↗ · Report this picture