Mende Information Location:Southern Sierra Leone Population:700,000 Language:Mende (Mande) Neighboring Peoples:Bullom-Sherbro, Vai, Temne, Gola Types of Art:Most Mende art is associated with initiation and healing and includes wooden masks, twin figures, and medicine objects. Utilitarian objects such as heddle pulleys are decorated with carved heads or other beautiful designs. History:The Mende language is closely related to the Mande language group, indicating that the Mende mi ...