BAMANA JANUS PUPPETS, Mali

 

BAMANA
Puppet 1
25" high
$3000

 BAMANA
Puppet 2
30" high
$2000

 

BAMANA
Puppet 3
38" high
$3000

BAMANA
Puppet 4
15.75" high
SOLD


These three Bamana puppets have been vetted as authentic with evidence of age and use.


BAMANA STYLE JANUS PUPPETS, Mali


The puppets below have been SOLD and are left here for research and educational purposes.

Despite their appearance we believe the puppets below were made to be sold.

 

BAMANA STYLE
Puppet 11
16.5" high
SOLD

 

BAMANA STYLE
Puppet 12
17" high
SOLD

 

BAMANA STYLE
Puppet 5
25.5" high
SOLD


 

BAMANA STYLE
Puppet 10
35" high
SOLD

 

 

BAMANA STYLE
Puppet 8
22.5" high
SOLD

BAMANA STYLE
Puppet 9
22" high
SOLD


Photographs © Hamill Gallery

BAMANA, Merekun Puppets, Mali

Sogo bo, the puppet masquerade drama of the Bamana, is an exploration of the moral universe.
The relationship between men and women and the problems of domestic relations in polygamous households are important concerns of many Sogo bo performances. Conflict among co-wives is a popular theme in many stories and two of the main characters areBarabara, the Favorite Wife, and the Galomuso, the Bad Wife. Like folktales and other theatrical forms, these masquerade performances throw cultural values and social relationships into high relief and open them up for public scrutiny.

The largest group of masquerade characters and the oldest performed in the theater are bush animals (see Bamana Animal Puppets).

from The Sogow by Mary Jo Arnoldi in Bamana: The Art of Existence in Mali. New York: Museum of African Art.

 

 

GO TO BAMANA ANIMAL PUPPETS PAGE

RETURN TO BAMANA ART PAGE

GO TO BAMANA KONO MASKS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA MASKS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA CHI WARA PAGE

GO TO PAINT! EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO MASKS AND HEADS PAGE

GO TO BAMANA JO FIGURES PAGE

 

GO TO AFRICAN FIGURES PAGE

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