Fertility Doll (1) - Mossi People - Burkina Faso

Price: $600.00


[Add to Cart]  [View Cart]


The Mossi dolls are carved from wood by village smiths & carvers. They are used for play and magic. the female figure is always depicted without arms or legs. Sometimes they are covered with shells and/or leather. Quite a few of the Mossi dolls have a downward protrusion from the forehead representing the hairdo of an unmarried Mossi girl. A large number of the Mossi dolls are phallic in shape, indicating fertility. Even scholars have difficulty distinguishing which dolls are used for play and which are used for magic. A few scholars believe that those dolls that are rubbed with palm butter indicate magical use. 15.5"H x 2"W x 5"D