KENYA: KENYAN PUPPETEERS ARE GEARING UP FOR A HUGE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL NEXT FEBRUARY

Record ID: 391316

  • Title: KENYA: KENYAN PUPPETEERS ARE GEARING UP FOR A HUGE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL NEXT FEBRUARY
  • Date: 28th May 2001
  • Summary: (FILE) (MARCH 1996) SLV/SV PERFORMANCE OF PUPPET'S AGAINST AIDS (3 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 12th June 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NAIROBI, KENYA
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA18SM3BW78SB8CGMT66B3YEO7F
  • Story Text: Kenyan puppeteers are gearing up for a huge international festival next February. One of the plays they are putting together focuses on the theme of corruption, a problem affecting most sectors of society in the east African country. Our cameras went back stage to find out more.
    Once upon a time there lived a crafty Hyena, who had a most devilish laugh.
    He was always plotting and scheming, looking for a way to cheat the other members of the animal kingdom out of their fair share of things.
    More intelligent than the other creatures, like poor innocent Warthog, - he often managed to manipulate and corrupt them into being part of his crazy plans - lying, stealing, wheeling and dealing - he stopped at nothing to get things to go his way.
    Puppeteers in Kenya's capital Nairobi are drawing on the strong tradition of oral storytelling which exists in Africa to build plays for a huge, international puppet festival to be held here next February. Already rehearsing in the back yard of their office block, one of the main themes the puppets will address is corruption.
    'Corruption is an issue that is actually affecting the country's economy', says puppeteer, Phylemon Odhiambo, 'and even us the citizens of this country and we just have to talk about it because people are actually becoming poorer and poorer because of these issues of corruption.' Slow-thinking Buffalo who at first resists the evil temptations dangled before him, gradually falls victim to Hyena's ploys.
    'He represents a good number of people in our society who at first know that corruption is bad but they are somehow forced into situations that they somehow have to go by it. Thereby making it normal so to speak,' explains Jack Omondi.
    South African master puppeteer Gary Friedman has been work-shopping the plays with the local puppeteers, helping improve their style and technique ahead of the festival.
    'I am sure animals are not really corrupt. It's man who is really corrupt. But here, it's a metaphor representing the society and it's done so beautifully using these animal puppets so it is not only one step removed but two steps removed but people can identify with the message very, very strongly', says Friedman.
    The festival will include sessions on how to make and manipulate puppets. And group discussions on how to build characters through puppets.
    She is just the type of people - she represents the type of people who are easily convinced or corrupted in our society'.
    Friedman believes puppets are the perfect medium of communication and entertainment in Africa.'Puppetry's got an important role to play, especially in the developing world because it can be used as a mass medium of communication to communicate rural and urban areas. But especially in the rural areas where people aren't exposed that much to television and to other forms of media. Puppetry can reach and put the message across on the grassroots. At the grassroots level and get away with saying so much because you can talk about any issue which human beings would have difficulty to talk about.
    They are also cheap and easy to make and one actor can play several roles.
    'Okay with puppetry you have to be able to change your voice.
    This is my voice, Jack, and this is Buffalo's voice. You have to create that difference so that people know exactly what you are saying and what I am - oh sorry - what he is saying. Ha are you surprised. Mmmm. I thought so.
    Animals are not the only things that make good puppets.
    Puppets come in all shapes and sizes and can be modelled on human beings too. Take this play about a mother who goes to the hospital with her sick baby - only to encounter a doctor who won't help out unless a little something is put in his pocket.
    Or more international puppeteers are expected to take part in the festival which runs February 15 to 23 2001.Organisers say there will be on display something for everyone.
    'We are going to have a wide range of presentations.', Tony Mboyo told Reuters,' First of all we're definitely going to have puppet shows because that is basically what the festival is all about, puppetry performances. We're also going to have paper presentations on different themes. We are hoping to have plenary discussions and also we are also expecting to have conferences and focus group discussions. We are hoping to have parades. Street festivals and its all about puppetry.
    In 1996 the puppeteers who are part of the Community Health Awareness Puppeteers or Chaps organised street displays with giant male and female puppets to address the issue of HIV/AIDS and safe sex practices.
    The group goes beyond corruption and HIV/AIDS themes. They also cover issues of education, good governance, drug abuse, child abuse, violence against women, the environment. The troupe is currently on tour in Europe. Where it's hoped they will raise more awareness about next year's event.
    ' He's supposed to be a guy who believes that corruption started long time ago. And it's actually a conflict between Kibawo and another character who now believes that corruption started just recently. So I manipulate this character,' says Tony Mboyo.
    The festival promises to be a whole lot of fun and action for participants and audiences alike.
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