As reference, similar figures with that type of base can be found in AHDRC (0077743 and 0077779) and with smilar shape of the head (0163556). Info: The Bamana initiation society is named Jo (or Dyo) – jo jo meaning “the truth”. Jo also refers to institutions such as the Ntomo, the Kono or the Tyiwara, which work to take decisions and protect the community, as well as being intermediaries between the temporal and spiritual worlds. Originally, the Jo was feminine. Women found the material representation of the Jo in the bush and gave it to men, who organised society on the principles of the original Jo. This is why, among the objects linked to Jo worship, Jonyeleni female statues like this one are so important. They give material form to the soul of the female entity, the one who was behind the creation of the initiation practices presiding over the society and maintaining social order. (Source: Binoche, 2019 in AHDRC)