African Arts Gallery

A source of inspiration for sculptors, wild and domestic animals also form the subjects of puppet masks such as this ancient and imposing animal figure of an ox or a cow which is extended by a handle.
Matte polychrome patina, erosions and desication cracks. Height on base: 61 cm.

The Bozo , fishermen and farmers for the most part, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the interior delta of the Niger and still remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes according to seasonal floods. Mande-speaking people, they speak Sorogama. Within their group, we distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie. Besides their remarkable masks, the Bozo and the Bambara are famous for their puppets of various sizes and frequently articulated, exhibited during the ...

French Collection of African Art
"Mani" is a diminutive meaning "little person" qualifying the African puppets with human faces used by the Bambara and Markha during educational shows. This tradition of puppet theater is common to the multi-ethnic peoples living in the inner delta of the Niger, including the Bozo, particularly in the region of Ségou where it is called "sogobo".
Old patina, abrasions and wood-eating attacks stopped. Articulated arms and legs.
In Mali, the invention of the puppet is attributed to the bush spirits who kidnapped Toboji Centa, a Bozo fisherman. During his stay with the spirits, the man became familiar with this unknown art. Upon his return, he went to the sculptor-blacksmiths and taught them how to make two kinds of puppets: miniaturized or ...

French collection of African art
"Mani" is a diminutive meaning "little person" qualifying the African puppets with human faces used by the Bambara and Markha during didactic shows. This tradition of puppet theater is common to the multi-ethnic peoples living in the inner Niger Delta, including the Bozo, particularly in the Ségou region where it is called "sogobo".
Articulated arms, missing fingers on one hand. Desiccation crack.
In Mali, the invention of the puppet is attributed to the bush spirits who kidnapped Toboji Centa, a Bozo fisherman. The Markha, also called Warka, live in the north of the Bambara territory and have, consequently, been influenced by them, particularly in the design of their masks. In addition to the similarities between Markha and Bambara art, ...

African animal sculpture of the Bozo in the African art of Mali.
This African animal mask decorated with polychrome colors would honor a water genius. Abrasions from use.
The Bozo, mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the interior Niger delta and today still remain semi-nomadic, moving their homes according to seasonal floods. Mande-speaking people, they speak Sorogama. Within their group, we distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie. In addition to their remarkable traditional masks, the Bozo and the Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied dimensions and frequently articulated, exhibited during the Sogow bo puppet theater which is organized at the initiative of young people from the villages, mainly in the ...