Inspired by a conversation in another thread "Classify this Mulatto" by kilmetro7. What are the perceptions of beauty in your society, both male and female, and what are some of the physical and personality preferences? To start it off Among the Tuareg and Songhai both, there is preference for darker males (dark skinned and dark brown) and reddish-brown/medium brown females. For example, http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/...99501857bd.jpg and http://hair.afroglitzmag.com/files/2009/06/fulani1.jpg I've noticed that about most African ethnicities actually, other than the westernized ones the most preferable skin tone for a female is a medium reddish brown complexion, in comparison to a darker skinned male. Dark skinned and light skinned females don't face discrimination, neither one is better then the other to be honest. On the other hand, light skinned males usually face some form of prejudice... they are often seen as weak. Poor me! But I'm not that bad, my skin tone is more of a swarthy complexion. I've noticed that the Songhai in particular, in addition to other West Africans classify black people into 5 categories... Very Black http://media.photobucket.com/image/w...ica/wolof2.jpg Dark Brown http://www.flickr.com/photos/3524054...n/photostream/ Reddish Brown/Medium Toned http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/...4c00907d57.jpg Light Brown http://about-face.org/blog/wp-conten...camp-6-mdn.jpg Very Light http://www.frenchcreoles.com/@ARM775...rl-Posters.jpg Northern Maghrebi's and some Tuaregs are referred to as "red", so basically swarthy... but you have to fit a particular phenotype as well. Black people can't be "red", they can be "very light"... but not "red". For example I'm sometimes called "red" and/or "very light", depending on who I'm talking to. Red http://www.shop-morocco.com/ekmps/sh...%20jewelry.JPG Other than skin tone, high broad cheek bones are preferred on men, round foreheads and clear faces are preferred on women. http://www.corbisimages.com/images/6...B/AL027652.jpg and http://www.lepoint.fr/content/system/media/yade3.jpg Broad shoulders, impressive height (tall), and short hair are also pluses for men. Small waist, wide hips, fragile upper body, long neck, and long wholly hair are also pluses for women. Personality wise, men are expected to be aggressive and almost "warrior-like", our women have more freedom to expressive their feelings... but a woman who is "mother-like" is most desired.