Bozo puppet (Mali)

This large puppet with articulated arms represents Faaro.
According to legend, the Bozo—a fishing people of Mali—are the descendants of Faaro, a water spirit and creator of the world. The appearance of Bozo masks and puppets celebrates this origin myth and the people's relationship with land and aquatic animals. Accompanied by singing and drumming, the dance of masked performers alternates with that of the *sogow*—large masks representing animals that are sometimes mythical and sometimes real.