In the southern Bambara region the dyo association puts on a great masked festival at which the sons of blacksmiths dance in front of statues called nyeleni-- upright female figures with wide, flat shoulders. The charm of this sculpture should not hide the fact of its importance in Bambara society. Attributes of female beauty combine with a dignified demeanor to present the ideal woman. Her body and legs form a Y-shape, the feet are slightly extended for balance, arms reach just above the knees, the breasts are large and perfectly formed. The bird-like head is perched on a very long neck, its cheeks are sunken, brow overhangs with no discernible mouth. Boldly striated hair at the back provides a marked contrast of texture to the smooth surface of the front. The straightforward simplicity of the figure is immediately endearing, offering a perfect example of how abstract stylization can be very human in feeling.