African wood carved Merekun traditional puppet used in Sogo Bo puppet theatre

Also known as Merekun, is a traditional puppet used in the Sogo Bo puppet theater of the Bamana people in Mali. Very intricately designed with stamped metal wrapped on the majority of the puppet. Used in traditional puppet masquerade dramas that explore moral and social themes, such as the relationship between men and women, and conflicts within polygamous households. The Janus figure is a rich metaphor for exploring the nature of knowledge, power, and the individual's relationship to the group. The characters in the Sogo Bo theater, including bush animals and human figures, are deeply rooted in Bamana beliefs and values. 20 3/4" Tall and 4 3/4" Wide.