Writing on the inside of Temne masks is explicitly discussed in Mariane Ferme, THE UNDERNEATH OF THINGS (2001); see also LaBelle Prussin, HAUTUMERE
Bravmann, Rene. African Islam. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1983.

Prussin, Labelle. Hatumere: Islamic design in West Africa. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1986: 81.

Inscribed: 2005 translation by Bruce Hall, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Duke University (text entered by L. Simmons 03.27.12): Text divided into different passages (see object file for division of Arabic text and scholarly commentary): 1. "Fair in the eyes of men is ithe slave of things they covet: Women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; But in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (to return to)." (Qur'an 3:14) 2. -three words here that I do not understand. The second word means "devoted" (wadud) and the third means "guide" (hadi). I don't know the first word. 3. "But I cast (the garment of) love over thee from Me." (Qur'an 20:39) 4. "They love them as they should love Allah; But those of faith are overflowing in their love for Allah" (Qur'an 2:165) 5. "When they saw him, they did extol him, and (in their amazement) cut their hands. And they said: 'Allah preserve us! No mortal this! This is none other than a nobel angel!'" (Qur'an 12:31) 1998 translation consultation: On the back is an inscription probably from the Koran, and a design of Cabalistic squares each containing a symbol. Notes from Mamadou Ndaw Barry (student from Guinea at Towson University, F. Lamp's dependent), 8/7/98: Can't read the inscription because it lacks the Arabic diacritical marks that indicate how to pronounce each word.