Standing female figure Jo Nyeleni, Bamana, Mali. The Bambara, farmers in the savannah of Mali, have six age classes ...

Standing female figure Jo Nyeleni, Bamana, Mali. The Bambara, farmers in the savannah of Mali, have six age classes that every Bambara man must pass through in the course of his life. With respective bush camps, lessons and initiation. The 3rd stage of this age-class system is called 'Jo' - and in this stage the young boys come to a marriageable age. Then they go on a 'bride hunt' with such figures, called 'Nyeleni' ('pretty little girl'), from village to village and look for a 'pretty little girl' to marry, wood decorated with pearls, height 46 cm