The African tribes, such as the Bambara, preferred to think of the spirits of their ancestors collectively rather than in terms of separate individuals. This is the result of the animism that underlies their religious beliefs. Such religious beliefs have been termed “animism” because they believed that a spirit exists in every living thing. Spirits dwell in the earth, in rivers and lakes, in the rain, in the sun and moon; still others demand to be appeased in order to promote fertility or cure disease. Their dwelling places may be given the shape of human figures, such as this glorious fertility sculpture depicting a standing woman. In this case, such spirits sometimes achieve enough of a stable identity to be viewed as rudimentary deities. This seems to be true of this gorgeous woman who conveys an air of authority and compassion befitting such a deity. Certainly, she represents the strongly revered fertility spirits, as indicated by her large, sagging breasts and swollen stomach, both revealing her fecundity. The Bambara would dance and act out similar dramatic ceremonies to appease this deity in order to promote fertility. Two drilled holes serve as the pupils of her eyes and impart the work with an increased realism; she almost appears to look back at us. She wears a belt decorated with colorful beads and cowrie shells, both prestige items, which suggest that this sculpture was once lovingly tended for. Furthermore, metal loops adorn her ears and the central braid of her hair that falls over her back. The energy and life force of fertility radiates from within this spectacular figure and the great emotional intensity of dances and ceremonies permeate the powerful appearance of this carving today.