Additional titles
Old Man

Dated
Date of origin: unknown to KOLK 17

Geographical reference
Place of origin: Mali

Material / technique
Wood, carved, polychromed
Textile, sewn
Ribbon

Dimensions
Object dimension: 67 x 30 x 11,5 cm
Weight: 600 g
Puppet volume: 70 x 44 x 19 cm

Creditline
KOLK 17 Figurentheater & Museum, Lübeck

Inventory no.
TF008395

Keywords
Sogo bò | Coming forth of the masks and puppets Maani | Anthropomorphic puppet Kalakasogo | Booth puppet Africa West Africa Human being

Object description
This puppet of a man is probably a maaniw-type puppet, which are performed in the sogo bò theatre on an animal puppet stage (kalaka kònò sogo). It is a ‘booth puppet’ / kalakasogow.
The puppet can be identified as an older Baman man by his hat. Above the eyebrow, in the centre of the forehead, three short green lines have been painted on vertically. There are three more green lines on each of the man's cheeks. The expert Malick Dramé suspects that these marks could represent tribal scarifications. (21.10.2024, EF)

Object history
The puppet does not appear to have been part of the old permanent exhibition of KOLK 17 before 1998. Until December 2017 it was on display in the permanent exhibition, St Jürgen corridor, upper floor, window. There may be further documentation on the purchase or provenance of the object from Fritz Fey Jr. in private ownership. This cannot be conclusively confirmed at the present time. (21.10.2024, EF)