Mwana Hiti DOLL - Kwere Culture, Tanzania - First half of the 20th century

Mwana Hiti DOLL

Kwere Culture, Tanzania

First half of the 20th century

Wood and pearls

H.: 11.2; L.: 4.8 cm

Monoxyl wooden statuette with a stylized body: its chest appears as two small protuberances, its waist is marked, its face has two coffee bean eyes, its ears are two small hollowed cavities and its hairstyle is incised with stylized braids. Its neck is adorned with a glass bead necklace.

These dolls, associated with fertility, were given to young girls during initiation rituals – “Mwana hiti” also means child or son of wood.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.: 4908