Marotte Kuju, Congo Mid-20th Century

Kuju puppet, Republic of Congo. Painted wood, wear, shocks. They represent the mythical ancestor oso. Used for dances telling the history of the world and chiefdoms. There are several dance circumstances: the entertainment Kiebe-Kiebe. It consists of cheerful performances in front of a large audience. the competitive Kiebe-Kiebe. Several villages dance in a public square in front of a jury of specialists. The following are judged: the endurance of the dancer; the perfection of execution. the punishment Kiebe-Kiebe. Danced at night to punish the member who has committed an offense related to the prohibitions. the funeral Kiebe-Kiebe. Performed upon the death of one of the members or a notable of the village. The dancers are flat on their stomachs around the catafalque and move the figurines. the Kiebe-Kiebe of the great mystery. It is danced during exceptional events for the community, it is identified by the emergence of the sacred serpent