The puppets have jointed limbs and are made from the hide of a camel or a water buffalo. The hide is worked until it is semi-transparent; then it is colored, resulting in colorful projections. The lamp for projection is known as a ‘şem’a’ (literally: candle), but is (or: was) typically an oil lamp. Images are projected onto a white muslin screen known as the ‘ayna’ (= mirror). Projections are from the rear, so the audience does not see the puppeteer. Puppets are typically 35–40 centimeters in height.

In time, the Karagöz Theater created its classics; famous plays are, e.g. ‘The Fountain of Kütahya’, ‘The Witches’, ‘The false Doctor’, ‘The Excursion to a Dairy’, ‘Tahir and Zürhe’ and ‘The Circumcision’. Each play has its own set of puppets; most of them are easily recognizable by the public, not only Karagöz and Hacıvat (who have fixed characteristics), but also stereotyped members of the Ottoman society: the Jew, the Laz (inhabitant of the Black Sea coast), the drunkard, the female dancer, etc. Even decor elements appear (house, bed, flower vase, fountain…). The set for ‘The Fountain of Kütahya’, for example, counts 17 items (11 personages, one group of dancers and five decor elements).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: ‘Günaydın Anadolu – Tradities van Turkije’ – cataloog Tentoonstelling Hessenhuis/Antwerpen 1988 ;
Mr. Şinasi Çelikkol from Bursa (puppeteer, initiator of the Bursa Karagöz Museum) & Wikipedia.