African dolls

African dolls across the continent are created for young girls to play with and as a charm to ensure fertility in women.

When the doll concept is considered in the context of African culture, they are usually not children's playthings, but rather objects that are laden with ritual and religious associations within the community.

One of the smallest tribes of the region, the Ndebele are noted for their painted homes of brilliant colors that stand out in the drab countryside.

During courtship, a suitor will place a doll outside a young woman's hut, indicating his intention to propose marriage to her.

Traditionally, young women should not openly display that they are looking for a husband therefore, it is customary for them to wear the ‘love dolls’ for attracting purposes in the nighttime.

In the early 20th century East London Museum had a collection of Xhosa fertility dolls which were described as ‘impressionistic’ at the time.

These dolls are carved of wood and put on the roof of the hut of a childless or seemingly infertile woman by a diviner as a plea to the ancestors to send a baby to the home.