Pair Of Puppets For The Sogobó Bambara - Mali Circa 1970

Woman high 74 cm excluding base / man 60.7 cm high excluding base - open arm width approximately 36 cm - depth approximately 10 cm. Female head height 14.5 - male head 13 cm - presence of the original fabrics. Supplied with removable bases. The arms are held with wire, we can change their position by removing said wire. Provenance: collected in the 1980s by mr M, recognized author of ethnographic articles on Bambara locks. A certificate from our gallery will specify the provenance. The Sogow Bo puppet theater stages various sculptures, symbolic characters. Designed by Bozo fishermen, this type of show was then developed by sedentary Bambara farmers at the end of the 19th century. The purpose of the puppet shows is to pass on tradition, to strengthen the social bond between communities of different origin and to prevent or calm conflicts. These frequently occur during the sowing and harvesting season. The show takes place in the form of sketches. The village is gathered around the public square. The drum orchestra is accompanied by the women's choir. The spectators participate in the show: there is no physical border between the spectators and the actors. The masks and puppets that perform tell stories that belong to tradition or sometimes innovate by mixing elements that belong to the modern world. It is a constantly evolving theater.