Sowei

The rising sun draws her breath A thousand crickets whisper in delight The day has come for the feasting The beating of spirit drums and dancing

Midday spreads her wings across the sky Women preen and prep for the spirits of Mende The spirits who walk the lands on no feet

Mask black, winks at the sun Raffia long, sways in the wind Satire wears the face of woman, Big flex

Fierce, Samawa Black, Ndoli Jowei

She sweeps through the streets in spirit finery Bells, bones, beads her crowning glory Dare he, a man intrude Sande Manhood he risks engorged to pay

• Stacey Ravvero