Kuyu Kebe-Kebe Puppet, Based

Orange-red skin, a pencil mustache, a striped tie and a toothy headband.

Kuyu carvers of the Republic of Congo, Central Africa, made this kebe-kebe puppet in wood in the 20th century. Puppets of this sort are commonly described as performance or ritual figures, carried on a stick. The face is painted a hot orange-red with narrow black eyebrows and a neat dark mustache. A black cap shows a white zigzag, and the collar shows black and white vertical stripes like a shirt front. The long shaft is chalky, with worn pale paint.

About 18 inches tall. Dressed for business and presumably late for it.