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In the Baule ethos, every person has a mate in the 'other world' (the world of spirits) who can cause trouble for his/her spouse in the real world if s/he feels neglected. This trouble can come in the form of infertility, failed crops, or general lack of success in life. When the other-world spouse is identified as the source of an individual's problems, a figure representing him or her is commissioned by a sculptor, then cared for regularly (usually one day per week) by the real-world spouse. These figures often look very different from real world spouses: one could image the real-world wife of the owner of the Mulvane's blolo bla as a slender, light-skinned older woman, based upon this stocky, youthful, black-skinned figure. The piece is typical of Baule figure sculpture in her small size, finely polished surface, attention to realistic detail (particularly in the elaborate pom-pom hair do and European house slippers) and composed, calm posture.