La Exoteca - Your etnical art gallery

The Bozo fish of Mali are hand-painted wooden fish-shaped figures, formerly used as puppets by the Bozo ethnic group, a group that lives on the banks of the Niger River. These figures are not only artistic representations of aquatic fauna, but also an integral part of the rich cultural and ceremonial tradition of the Bozo. Origin The Bozo, known as the "river masters", are an ethnic group that has lived for centuries along the Niger River in Mali. This river is vital to their livelihood, and their relationship with water is deeply reflected in their cultural and artistic practices. Bozo fish figures are a manifestation of this connection, used in festivities and rituals that celebrate aquatic life and the abundance that the river provides.