Ukwanda Puppets & Designs Art Collective

21/09/2026

One of the most iconic performances in Brooklyn. 🦬❤️
40 life-sized buffalo puppets roaming through Brooklyn Bridge Park, an unforgettable moment and an incredible performance by the puppeteers. 🦬🔥

Video by : Danny Matthews

19/09/2026

A Herd of Buffalo Took over NYC 🦬🦬🦬
Today, a herd of 40 life-size buffalo puppets “stampeded” through Lower Manhattan for Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi—an incredible free public art spectacle centered around reckoning, renewal and the remarkable return of America’s national mammal.

More than 100 puppeteers brought the herd to life as it traveled from Bowling Green up Broadway, passing Wall Street, Federal Hall and other iconic NYC landmarks—with live music, Native dance, tribal ceremonies and performances unfolding along the way.

Created by Amir Nizar Zuabi in partnership with Lenape and Lakota Elders—and from the team behind Little Amal—the massive moving artwork tells the story of the buffalo’s extraordinary return from near extinction. ✨

Puppets designed by Ukwanda Puppet Company. 🦬✨

24/06/2026

03/04/2024

A crow puppet made by Ukwanda for Barrydale Annual Parade 2023

19/03/2024

The Ukwandans
Thank you Fleur Du Cap Theatre Awards for the recognition and acknowledgement 🙏🏽
Well done team what a journey!!!
Thank you Handspring Puppet Company for always believing in us and push us no matter what❤️
Thank you Centre for Humanities Research The Iyatsiba Lab at the University of Western Cape for the undying support

🅿️

14/02/2024

The CELEBRATION PARADE is a new site specific performance which leaves an impact on the lives of all of those involved.

Handspring Puppet Company, best known for their giant creations War Horse and Little Amal, will team up with Adelaide’s Slingsby Theatre Company, Ukwanda Puppets & Designs Art Collective and Arts Project Australia to parade an incredible herd of puppets, including three life-size elephants, bringing awareness about the many endangered species of Australia.

The public parade will capture new audiences, connect diverse communities and incorporate local musicians. A family of life-sized elephants venture out from their home in to explore the festival each day, interacting with audiences in magical moments of discovery. Audiences of all ages are invited to the KidZone to construct their own puppets and to learn about local fauna and animal conservation.

8 - 12 March : World Premiere Celebration Parade WOMAdelaide - Adelaide, Australia





http://www.quaternaire.org/handspring-puppet-co/celebration-parade

27/10/2023

Done! In exactly six weeks time, ready for stage, for story telling. Well done to the team of Ukwanda Puppets & Designs Art Collective of Centre for Humanities Research at the University of Western Cape.
Cc Net vir Pret -Aftercare and youth centre

20/10/2023

Week 5 of the preparations for the Barrydale Parade 2023. With
Net vir Pret -Aftercare and youth centre
Centre for Humanities Research & Ukwanda Puppets & Designs Art Collective

29/09/2023

Remember 2017..

The Centre for Humanities Research, University of the Western Cape, Handspring Puppet Company, Ukwanda, Net Vir Pret, Magpie Art Collective and Stanley John ...