Natanakairali from Trichur (India) plays "Dakshayagam"
Filmed during the National Festival of Puppet Theatre
Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, 2003.

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information: Puppetry India

This film shows the Bamana masquerade in Kirango (Mali); it consists of fragments of the dvd  "La fête des masques bamana de Kirango (Mali)", Samake Records 07.

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information:

- dvd Bamana masquerade of Kirango

This film shows the daily life of Bozo fishermen along the Niger shore in Kirango.

(A longer film has been edited: dvd "Les maîtres de l'eau: pêcheurs bozo au Mali", Samaké Records 09)

The sound track --'Sanganyogon'-- is by Mamou Thiero. It can be found on the cd "Mamou Thiero: chansons bozo / somono", Samaké Records 07.

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information:

- cd Mamou Thiero

- article Song texts Mamou Thiero

-dvd Maîtres de l'eau

Ndomo is a textile workshop where traditional and modern cloths are designed and made, using natural dyes from leaves, bark, and clay. This process is called 'bogolan', or mud cloth.
This film consists of excerpts of the dvd "Ndomo - solidarité et partage", Samaké Records 08.

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information:

- dvd Ndomo-Solidarity and Sharing

Zé Lopes (José Lopes da Silva Filho) was filmed during a performance on the square of Gloria do Goitá, in February 2004. His group is called 'Mamulengo Teatro Riso' (Laughter Theater). He is assisted by his wife and accompanied by a group of musicians. The public takes an active role during the performances: some approach the booth and enter into dialogue with the puppets or offer them food or drink.

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information: Puppetry Brazil

João and Marlene Galego were filmed in Carpina, in February 2004. Their group is called ' Nova Geracão' (New Generation).

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information: Puppetry Brazil

In March 2003 the Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi organized a large puppet festival, together with the India International Centre and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

9 Short excerpts can be seen here:

-glove puppets, Kerala

-glove puppets, West Bengal

-shadow figures, Kerala

-rod & string puppets, Karnataka

-rod & string puppets, Tamil Nadu

-rod puppets, Orissa

-shadow figures, Orissa

-shadow figures, Tamil Nadu

-string puppets, Andra Pradesh

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information: Puppetry India

Mamou Thiero is a well-known singer from the village of Kirango, on the shore of the Niger river (Mali). She belongs to the Somono, an ethnic group of fishermen. In this film I visit her at home where a meal is prepared.

Mamou and her daughter Wawa sing a few songs, accompanying themselves on calabashes.

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

This video shows the masquerade of the Somono fishermen of the Thierola quarter in Kirango, Mali (2009).

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information: Article fête des masques Somono/Kirango

This 15-minute film of the Bozoo performance at the Festival sur le Niger, Ségou, in 2005 is part of the DVD ‘Fête de circoncision/fête des masques Bozo, Kirango (Mali), Samake Records 02, 2006.

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information: dvd circumcision ceremonies and masuerades of the Bozo, Kirango (Mali)

The bamanan children of Kirango (Mali) organize their own masquerade; they make and manipulate the masks and puppets themselves.

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information: Bamana children’s masquerades, kirango (Mali)

This film (20 min.) shows the daily life of a Bozo family in Kirango (Mali)

It is part of the dvd "Les maîtres de l'eau: pêcheurs bozo au Mali", Samaké Records 09)

Another film ('Joliba, life along the Niger river'') (40 min.) can be seen in this Videogallery

Camera and editing: Elisabeth den Otter ©

For more information: dvd Maîtres de l'eau