BAMAKO, Mali — Giant colorful marionettes paraded through the streets of Bamako this week as the Rendez-Vous Chez Nous festival returned for its ninth edition, bringing moments of joy to a city grappling with militant threats, economic collapse, and a severe fuel blockade.
Despite the blockade imposed by Al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM, which has shut schools, halted commerce, and created long petrol queues, more than 200 puppets marched through residential neighborhoods in a defiant celebration of resilience.
“We as artists don’t give up our work because of difficult times,” said Yacouba Magassouba, director of the Nama company organizing the event. “We continue to show the whole world that we exist.”
For residents, the spectacle offered crucial relief. “These demonstrations can help us forget our worries, like the security problems and fuel crisis,” said Yacouba Doumbia.
Tradition Meets Innovation
The festival draws on Mali’s centuries-old puppetry heritage while adapting it for modern audiences. Magassouba noted that ancestors used puppets to teach children and communicate cultural values. Theater director Adama Traore added that today’s puppets are “much more urban characters” that allow children to dream while keeping cultural traditions alive.
Cultural Sector Under Strain
Behind the vibrant celebration lies a struggling cultural sector. Since the 2020 military coup prompted international partners to withdraw funding, Malian artists have faced mounting challenges in sustaining their work.
The festival’s determination to proceed despite these hurdles underscores the vital role of art in maintaining social cohesion and hope in a nation where cultural performances have become both more difficult and more necessary than ever.