Accessibility Tools

The figures of Karagöz and Hacivat
Artefact #: 1408
LO_AUTHOR: Meryem Tatlıkiraz
 


The figures of Karagöz and Hacivat
The photo is taken from Wikimedia commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karagoz_figures.jp

The show features two main characters, Karagöz and Hacivat, who are friends and often get into comical situations.

Karagöz is a clumsy, and impulsive character, while Hacivat is a clever, and more refined character. They represent two different classes of society, with Karagöz being a lower-class person and Hacivat representing the upper-class.
The puppets are made of leather and are operated by puppeteers who are hidden behind a white curtain. The puppeteers use sticks to control the movements of the puppets and to make them perform various actions. The stories in Karagöz and Hacivat shows are usually humorous and satirical, and often contain social commentary and criticism. The characters interact with each other and with the audience, making the show a highly interactive and engaging experience.

Karagöz and Hacivat is considered an important part of Turkish culture and is often performed during festivals and celebrations. It has also influenced other forms of puppetry and theater throughout the world.