Fula Mùso theatre puppet (Fula woman)

The theatrical puppet (English: marionette, French: marionnette) of the maani type, with arms that move at the shoulders and elbows, animated from below by a puppeteer with strings, dances on the so-called mobile stage. It is part of the Sogo bò theatrical tradition in the Ségou region, in the south-central part of the Republic of Mali, organised by Kamalen Ton, i.e. village youth associations. The puppet represents a woman from the nomadic Fulbe people.The repertoire of the Sogo bò theatre is vibrant. There are forest and water animals, mythical and fantastic creatures. There is also a range of characters typical for Mali society: farmers, fishermen, hunters, musicians, blacksmiths, weavers, representatives of neighbouring peoples, administrative authorities, women and men performing everyday activities. Puppets representing women from groups neighbouring Bozo (Marka, Bamana and Fulbe) can be recognised by a characteristic element of clothing, hairstyle or prop. The most popular among them is the figure of Fula Mùso, a symbol of physical perfection but also the embodiment of an unfaithful, flirtatious and playful woman. The red colour used to paint the doll emphasises her dangerous character, especially for men.Fulbe women are famous throughout West Africa for their beauty and elegance. They have developed a sophisticated art of decorating their bodies with perfect hairstyles, henna drawings and jewellery. They are admired for their fair complexion, long hair and delicate facial features. The appearance of the character Fula Mùso in the repertoire of Sogo bò theatre allows the public to raise the subject of seduction and relationships between men and women. The puppet is a gift from Oleńka Darkowska-Nidzgorska and Denis Nidzgorski-Gordier.

Ewa Prądzyńska