Bozo Female Marionette Figure Mali

The Bozo and Bamana people in Mali use puppets on village stages to satirize societal and political figures, showcasing characters like politicians, braggarts, and foreigners. These puppets, unlike typical African sculptures, wear clothing and feature movable parts while accompanied by songs reflecting their actions. The Bozo, known as "masters of the river," thrive along the Niger River, excelling in fishing and intimately understanding its currents and fish species. Their language, belonging to the Soninke-Bozo subgroup, includes various dialects. Emerging during the Ghana Empire era, the Bozo settled along the Niger River, contributing to the establishment of key trading cities like Djenne and Mopti. While predominantly Muslim, they also maintain animist beliefs, particularly honoring the bull as their totem, symbolizing the river and their traditional fishing boats. This intricate connection to the river and fishing shapes the essence of Bozo culture.