Superb fish - Bozo - Mali (No reserve price)

African puppet - Bozo - Mali
Animal figures in traditional African art
The Bozo constitute a specific group with only a few affinities with the surrounding populations, which are insufficient to fully assimilate them. It is incorrect to classify the Bozo as a caste people in the full sense of the term, because, of noble origin and having become emigrants following the decline of the Ghana Empire, of which they were part, they chose to become fishermen. Having found themselves at the end of their wandering along the banks of the Niger, they then decided to exploit the resources of this river to sustain themselves.

Then, gradually improving their techniques, they ultimately made fishing their main activity, to which they added a near-monopoly of boat trade. Thus, they became the 'masters of the water.' Then, borrowing from the local aborigines where they settled some of their customs, they combined these with those they had brought from their homeland, creating distinct traditions that largely differed from those of the major ethnic groups. In the Mopti region, just west of the Dogon country and above the Bambara, the Bozo constitute a very specific group. They have so little affinity with the surrounding populations that it would not be reasonable to fully assimilate them to these groups.