Yayoroba theatre puppet on antelope giveè

The theatrical puppet (English: marionette, French: marionnette) of the sogo (sogo kun) type, moved from below, was fixed on a stick and sat on the front of the so-called mobile stage. Such a mobile stage becomes the trunk of a large animal. When one sees small puppets dancing on the mobile stage, they get the impression that they are dancing on the back of a big animal. It is part of the Sogo bò theatrical tradition found in the Ségou region, in the south-central Republic of Mali. It is used by members of Kamalen Ton, i.e. village youth associations. The puppet represents Yayoroba sitting on the head of a dajè antelope, or horse antelope (Hippotragus equinus). Both these figures are the epitome of beauty. Yayoroba is considered an ideal woman for her beauty, elegance, and personality traits: impeccable morals and restraint. Every man living in the Ségou region dreams of such a wife. Her name means huge and strong woman in the Bamana language. The abundance of the female form is symbolically associated with wealth. Her yellow-painted face and hands signify a fair complexion. Her perfect hairstyle emphasises her beauty. The antelope dajè is also beautiful. The spirits of the bush gave her her beauty to protect her from hunters. Its allure overpowers the hunter. When confronted with her, he becomes motionless and completely defenceless, thus exposing himself to danger. He must therefore possess the necessary talismans and know the magic formulas to overcome the antelope's paralysing beauty and be able to kill it. The performances of Yayoroba and the antelope dajè are highly appreciated by the young men who play the most crucial role in Kamalen Ton. They decide the repertoire and animate the puppets. For in these characters accumulate the most important desires of a young man: having a wonderful wife and the fame of a successful hunter. The gift from Oleńka Darkowska-Nidzgorska and Denis Nidzgorski-Gordier.

Ewa Prądzyńska