In a modest workshop in northeast Lomé, Togo, Kafui Dogbe and her team at Géants Arts Togo are reshaping recycled materials into towering, expressive puppets—an ambitious fusion of creativity, sustainability, and cultural preservation. Plastic water bottles become articulated limbs, and detailed facial expressions are sculpted from clay before being layered with paper-mâché. Each puppet is the result of a labor-intensive process that blends craftsmanship with theatrical flair.
Kafui Dogbe, founder and director of the Géants Arts Association, combines her background in communication with her passion for visual storytelling. “I encountered giant puppets during my travels and immediately saw an opportunity to merge art and public engagement,” she said. “It’s about using creativity to speak directly to people, in the streets and in public spaces.” The troupe gained international recognition in 2023, winning a silver medal at the Francophonie Games for their captivating giant puppet performances—testament to their innovation and dedication to reviving an art form on the brink of obscurity.
To further promote puppetry, Dogbe launched the Biennale of Public Space Arts, a festival that has transformed Togo’s streets into vibrant stages over the past two years. The initiative has been widely praised for its cultural impact and role in democratizing art. “Puppetry is a powerful tool,” said Holali Agbevide, a cultural administrator. “It educates, raises awareness, and develops critical thinking. Now, with the advent of digital tools, robotics, and AI, puppetry is evolving in exciting and unexpected ways.”
Dogbe’s work now extends beyond Togo, with her performances being showcased across Africa. As she continues to innovate while staying rooted in traditional storytelling, Kafui Dogbe is emerging as a continental ambassador for the reimagined art of giant puppetry—proving that even the oldest art forms can be made new again.
