EGYPTIAN PUPPETRY

 

 

                                        Mohammed el Sawy and his Puppets 

Egypt has one of the longest histories of any modern country.  The result of the country’s rich cultural heritage is partly the result of various influences, including Greek, Persian, Roman, Arabic and European.

 

The existence of puppetry in ancient Egypt, during the rule of the Pharos has been proven on one hand by the discovery of several items, conserved at the Musée National Egyptien and at the Louvres in Paris, and on the other hand, by ancient Egyptian and Greek texts.  Puppets made as toys were discovered in tombs.

 

In ancient Egypt, puppet shows were very popular, so puppetry was considered an important art.  Today, Mohammed El-Sawy an Egyptian entrepreneur and artist started El Sakia Puppet Theatre. He even carves certain of the wooden puppets and sews their clothes.

 

On the first Thursday of each month, people gather at the El-Sawy Culturewheel Theatre, in Cairo, to watch the show. In order to spread Egyptian culture El-Sawy’s company puts up educational plays that tour North Africa and Europe.  

   

 Here is an image of Ancient Egyptian puppets.