Museu do Mamulengo: A Celebration of Brazilian Puppetry

The Museu do Mamulengo – Espaço Tiridá, located in a late 19th-century house in Olinda, Pernambuco, is a vibrant tribute to Brazilian culture, specifically the captivating tradition of mamulengo puppetry. Founded in 1994, the museum is named after Professor Tiridá, a famous mamulengo personality, and is designed as a 'living museum' where puppets come to life and interact playfully with visitors. The museum's collection comprises approximately 1,200 pieces, which are regularly updated with contemporary additions. The puppets primarily originate from the Zona da Mata (the former sugar zone of Pernambuco State) and once belonged to the Mamulengo Só-Riso troupe. Besides precious and rare 19th-century pieces, the museum features four *engenhocas*, puppet ensembles animated using rods and other mechanisms. The collection is considered the only space in Latin America dedicated to conserving mamulengo art. More than just a display, the Museu do Mamulengo promotes research into traditional and contemporary mamulengo, bringing together masters and apprentices to ensure the continuation of this popular theatrical form. The museum seeks to preserve the tradition of these dolls, offering visitors an opportunity to delve into the cultural heritage of Pernambuco and the Northeast. The museum displays various pieces related to this art form. So much fun to see these puppets representing both common themes in our lives as well as superstition and fantasy.