Mende People: Guardians of Tradition and Masters of Mask Making The Mende people, inhabiting Sierra Leone’s southern and eastern provinces, represent a vibrant tapestry of cultural heritage deeply rooted in ancestral beliefs and artistic expression. Their history stretches back centuries, marked by migrations from Guinea and interactions with neighboring tribes like the Temne, shaping their unique identity and traditions. Oral histories recount tales of hunters and fishers who established small settlements before encountering leaders who brought forth warfare and larger villages—a narrative…