Standing female figure "jo nyeleni"

Description

wood, middle brown patina, ear ornament with glass beads, the eyes inset with metal tags, extremely elongated arms, slightly dam., cracks, paint rubbed off, traces of old age, on base;
“Nyeleni” figures illustrate the characteristic features of young Bamana women of marriageable age. The new initiates travelled around for several months, visiting the villages nearby to point out their new state of adulthood, and demonstrate their wish to marry.