Shadow Puppet

Item number 3084/7 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Shadow puppet of the character Çelebi, made of semi-transparent animal skin and a watery paint. Figure wears a small striped hat above curly black hair and a long beard. His nose is large and curved, and eye is heavily lidded. He wears a long red robe trimmed in yellow, over green and blue clothing and brown shoes. The head of the puppet is separate from the body and attached with a small string tie to create movement. The skin of the object is punctured to show division between the clothing and limbs, and for decoration.

History Of Use

Shadow puppet character, from the Turkish shadow play known as "Karagöz & Hacivat". The play dates back to the Ottoman Empire (c. 1299-1923). It follows the escapades and fights of the two central characters from whom it takes its name. These friends are opposites in many ways: Karagöz (Black Eye) is illiterate and coarse, but well-intentioned, and very funny. Whereas Hacivat is pretentious and conceited, well-spoken and amusing. The plays are full of wit and satire and social and ethnic stereotypes as well as supernatural characters, such as monsters and magicians. Karagöz shadow puppetry was inscribed on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.