Djinè Faro (Faro deity) theatre puppet

The theatrical puppet (English: marionette, French: marionnette) attached to a larger structure operated by several puppeteers, animated from below, has two faces and two pairs of arms movable at the elbows. It is part of the Sogo bò theatrical tradition found in the Ségou region, in the south-central Republic of Mali. The puppet depicts Djinè Faro, a Faro deity who, according to the mythology of the Bamans and Bozo fishers, is one of the world's creators and the main water deity who built the seven layers of heaven, corresponding to the seven parts of the earth. He also sent life-giving rains to the earth. In the final phase of the act of creation, he defeated Pemba, another creator, and brought order to the world of humans and animals, divided them into races and species, introduced the seasons, separated day from night, and taught agriculture, fishing, blacksmithing and other vital skills to humans. The people of the Ségou area believe that Faro is the goddess of the Niger, and in the Sogo bò theatre, they always depict the deity as a woman. She is associated with water, fertility and abundance. As the wife of the Niger, she resides in the river's depths, in places called faronti. People owe all prosperity to her and surround her with worship. Women turn to her, asking for beautiful, healthy children. To emphasise Faro's relationship with water, they often add the word ba before her name, which means river but also mother in a large patriarchal family, creating Ba Faro. She is also sometimes referred to as Ba Jeliba (Mother-Hostess) or Denba Numa (literally Good Mother). She symbolises the full development of the body and spirit of a human being. The appearance of Faro during the performances evokes harmony, balance, moderation and restraint, which are fundamental qualities valued by the inhabitants of the Ségou area. It reminds us of respect for the rules of traditional society.The gift from Oleńka Darkowska-Nidzgorska and Denis Nidzgorski-Gordier.

Ewa Prądzyńska