Marka (Warka), Mali

Ceremonial Puppet. The 400,000 Marka are a Mande subgroup. This ethnic group is independent from the Bambara but their styles show a strong Bambara influence. They live in the region that extends from the north of the Bambara to the Senegalese border. The dry savanna permits no more than a subsistence economy, and the soil produces, with some difficulty, millet, rice, and beans. The Marka are famous for their masks and puppets. The puppets of the kind presented here were used in ceremonies related to the circumcision of adolescents and in theatrical performances.

Material: wood

Size:    H. 30”, W. 8”, D.6 ½”