The Puppet

Limberjack

(Alternate names: Jig Doll, Dancing Doll)

Wooden figure with articulated limbs, held by a rod attached to its back, and made to move - "dance" - when a plank of wood is vibrated beneath its feet. The arms are usually articulated at the shoulder, sometimes also at the elbow and wrist, and the legs can have as many as four joints. At the sound of music - traditionally that of the fiddle - the limberjack is made to "dance", or "jig". The actual manipulation of the puppet has a musical aspect as well, given that the noise of the puppet's feet on the plank creates various rhythms in time with the music.