Yoann Cormier on staging Mali's Sogo Bò at Musée des Confluences

Yoann Cormier curates 'In Mali, When Animals Dance' at the Musée des Confluences in Lyon, an immersive exhibition of sogo bò, a Malian performance tradition. The show rejects glass cases for light, sound, and video to recreate festive celebrations. Masks are restored with feathers, textiles, and plant fibers by the Lyon Opera costume workshop. Footage from the early 2000s by Sonia and Albert Loeb, whose collection forms the basis, provides authentic atmosphere. Scenography moves from village to river, with lighting mimicking a Malian day from afternoon to night. The river is evoked via films of masks on pirogues on the Niger. The exhibition balances public display with secrecy, preserving mystery around mask bearers. The Loeb collection, acquired transparently with Malian authorities including the National Museum of Bamako, is contextualized with historical accounts like Ibn Battuta's from 1352. Sogo bò declined from 2010–2020 and was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2014. The exhibition ends on a positive note with footage from the 2025 FESMAMAS festival in Markala, filmed by a Malian crew. Sound design avoids looping, with quiet and festive sequences. The practice evolves with new forms and characters. Runs until 07 February 2027.