Theatre puppet: Yayoroba

The theatrical puppet (English: marionette, French: marionnette) of the maani type with movable arms moved by strings, animated from below on the so-called mobile stage or dancing on its own, placed on top of a fabric-covered structure, is part of the Sogo bò theatrical tradition found in the Ségou region, in the south-central part of the Republic of Mali. Yayoroba is the name of a woman who probably lived many years ago in the Ségou area. She was first carved in the 1930s at the request of the Kamalen Ton association of Ségou. She was very successful, and her figure began to appear throughout the region, both in the Baman and Bozo and Marka communities. She was an exceptionally beautiful woman, full of grace. Her beauty was not limited to physical categories, and it was also expressed in her magnificent attitude, character, temperament, physical strength and rich attire. Today, the name embodies the idea of a woman, and the appearance of the Yayoroba figure during performances is always greeted with great applause and cheers. Her face is usually painted light (yellow, white, pink) to emphasise her lighter complexion, a woman's feature much appreciated by men. Her excellent hairstyle and jewellery also emphasise Yayoroba's beauty. The doll is dressed in rich costumes, often with elements of western dress, to mark the high prestige of the character. The fabric is heavily creased to emphasise the ample shapes, symbolically associated with the abundance of land and one of Mali's most appreciated criteria of beauty. For the people living in the Ségou area, the woman reflects the position of the man, first her father and then her husband. The more she gains weight, the more she externalises the perfect harmony and flourishing of the household. In a broader sense, Yayoroba is a symbol of prosperity. During performances, she moves with grace and dignity. The gift from Oleńka Darkowska-Nidzgorska and Denis Nidzgorski-Gordier.

Ewa Prądzyńska