Marionette figures of riders in the Igbo tradition of Nigeria, from the legacy of Amidou Kouandou, Grand Imam and notable of ministerial rank in the Sultanate of Foumban, Cameroon, who died in 2014.

1. Festival Culture

The collection catalogue places the figures within the Igbo festival tradition. Celebrations of many kinds are spread through the year, and on these occasions groups appear to carry serious tasks, concerns and messages to their fellow tribesmen. Masked festivals and masquerade processions belong to this serious side of public life.

2. The Role of the Marionettes

Alongside it stands the Igbo idea that the course of life should not consist of seriousness alone. Marionettes of this kind served to amuse, cheer up and relax the audience at the end of a masked festival or masquerade procession. They were the lighter counterpart to the masks.

3. Travelling Performances

According to the catalogue, there were also groups who went from village to village with their marionettes and performed plays with them for the villagers, naturally for a fee. The riders therefore belong to a working theatre tradition, as well as to festival life.

Summary

Igbo marionette riders, puppets of the lighter side of festival life, used to amuse audiences after masked ceremonies and in village performances.