Bozo Fish Puppet – Mali

Origin and Cultural Context

This traditional sculpture originates from the Bozo people, who inhabit the banks of the Niger River in Mali. Known as skilled fishermen, the Bozo have a rich cultural heritage deeply connected to water, ancestral spirits, and ritual practices. Their marionette art, known as Sogo bò, combines puppetry, dance, and music in vibrant communal celebrations.

 

Statue Features

Carved from lightweight wood and decorated with bright colors, this fish puppet represents a stylized aquatic creature, emblematic of the Bozo identity. Hand-painted—often in red, blue, or white—it may feature articulated parts to mimic the swimming motion. Its elongated form and expressive features enable dynamic animation during performances.

 

Cultural Significance

Used during Sogo bò rituals, the fish puppet symbolizes abundance, the wisdom of the river, and the connection between the living and the spirit world. It serves as a vehicle for oral storytelling, spiritual messages, humor, and ancestral celebration. Today, it is also appreciated as a genuine piece of African folk art.

 

Provenance

Private collection ZAMBELLI/BRUGNACCHI, assembled between 1990 and 2023.

Transferred to Spirit Land of Africa Gallery in 2023.

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