Bozo people live along Niger river and are related to Bamana. They are known as people of the fish as  they make their living by fishing. Bozo create masks of vivid colors often decorated with contrasting dots.

The guide who located these small  masks for us comes from the family of a well known collector and dealer of Bozo art in Mali. As of late Bozo masks have started to be shown in major museums and galleries and have gained recognition as an art form.

This leopard mask brings to mind an african oroverb:
- The rain wets the leopard's spots but does not wash them off.