Meet Daw Moe. She’s the “old lady” character in traditional Burmese (Myanmar) marionette theater (Yotke Thay). Often she’s paired with the ‘old man’ character U Whewi Yoe (or U Shwe Yoe).
They are but two of the many characters in the ancient Burmese tradition of puppet theater. Most of the characters have “official” or sanctioned parts as defined under early 19th century royal edicts, but Daw Moe and her “old man” husband have more fluid parts.
They can appear as secondary characters in the established set pieces (depicting historic legends, the ten great lives and the 550 Birth stories of Lord Buddha) or can be used to portray short pieces in-between the usual set pieces. The ‘intermission’ skits often concern comedic or scandalous local events. As a result they tend to be crowd favorites.
She’s quite intricate with articulating fingers on the hands, a moving lower lip, flopping pendulous breasts and great articulation of all the other joints. Like all traditional Burmese marionettes she has a topknot of real human hair on the head, and her face is painted with many layers of talc.
She’s in good condition and complete, but shows some wear from use.
Costume consists of separate open blouse, and traditional longyi skirt.
See her now at the Albina Bank location.
