Object Name: Puppet
Place of Origin: Mali
Cultural Group: Bamana peoples
Materials Used: Wood, fabric, iron, string, pigment
Date: 1974
Dimensions: H: 58.0 cm, W: 30.0 cm, D: 9.0 cm (H: 22.8 in, W: 11.8 in, D: 3.5 in)
Credit line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Joel Breman. X77.359

African puppets often have a connection with the gods. Baman legend has it that a hunter was captured by bush spirits who taught him the art of puppetry.

Source: Cameron, Elisabeth L. (1996) “Isn’t S/He a Doll?”, Los Angeles, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. page 12