Daily Inspirations: Dolls, Dolls, Dolls!!!

Photo credit: http://www.native-languages.org/dolls.htm

Lately my maternal nature has been kicking in. I don't know if it's my biological clock telling me to hurry up and procreate or just a desire to make awesome clothing and toys for the potential little one... Anywho... I've developed this recent obsession with dolls. Every little girl has their favorite toy. The cute little baby doll you would imagine was your child. Feeding it imaginary (or real) food and pretending to stop it from crying. Or your favorite plush bear/doll that you would hold tight for comfort or protection. Whatever it was, we all had that one toy that we relied on for satisfaction. Truth be told, many of us still sleep with our favorite childhood "friends." This love affair with dolls peaked my interest in the historical usages and significance of dolls in indigenous cultures. In short, dolls were made to model the human form and used for rituals and religious practices throughout the continent. Dolls were giving to ensure fertility in developing young girls and often times handed down from mother to daughter. They also functioned as tools for teaching and protective charms.

Here are some examples for dolls found around the continent of Africa:

Linga Koba dolls -

Photo credit: http://www.thefolkartgallery.com/

From the Nedebele tribe in South Africa, these dolls served several purposes. When courting a young women, the potential husband would often place a doll outside her home indicating that he wanted to propose marriage. During preparation for the marriage, woman are given Linga Koba dolls inwhich they name and care for. Her first child will then carry this name.

Akuaba Dolls -

Photo credit: http://www.skeptiseum.org/index.php?id=105&cat=superstition

Akuaba dolls originate from the Ashanti people in Ghana, West Africa. The dolls have large disc-like heads, which were traditionally carried on the backs of woman wanting to conceive or to ensure the attractiveness of the child. The Akuaba symbol is identified with good luck.

Ngambwe Doll - 

Photo credit: http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery African Dolls/ Fertility Dolls.htm

From Angola. Used in a similar manner to the Akuaba dolls. 

Zulu Fertility Dolls

Photo credit: http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery African Dolls/ Fertility Dolls.htm

These dolls are from the Msinga area. They are made by girls during their time of engagement and worn during special occasions. When married, a red cloth is place around the head of the doll, as a indicator of her marriage.

The teaching purposes of dolls still holds true in today's society. However, the spiritual and cultural connectedness is absent. What a great gift it would be to give your child a "blessed toy."  A doll that is prepared with love and good energy to help support the child in their development. I think I may make some dolls... 

Iyadoc