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Baga, Guinea

Gift of Helena Rubenstein, 53.12

In its original context, this male figure would have
been paired with a female figure and possibly placed
in a shrine to ensure agricultural and human fertility.
Both male and female figures are called d'mba, which
refers to an ideal state of womanhood and motherhood
among the Baga. The hairstyle and facial patterns are
typical of the neighboring Fulbe women, who are con-
sidered extremely beautiful throughout West Africa.
D'mba may represent ideals of human behavior and
beauty that cross gender and ethnic boundaries.