Doll

Item number A17000 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Part a is a male doll and has a square head of folded off-white cloth with a skirt of white and pink cloth with a red, dark red and blue design over off-white cloth, the edges unfinished, and the skirt is bound with off-white string. Part b is a female doll with a round off-white head and a head scarf is made of white cotton with a floral pattern in pink, red, orange, green, and dark red. An off-white skirt or dress is tied just below the head with off-white string.

History Of Use

Usually girls played hwa'nukwa (to play with rags and shells for dolls) from about the ages of 6 to 12, when they were given away to younger children. Dolls were kept in a box or basket when not in use. Ones with square tops were men, ones with round tops were women. They always stood for people, never animals or myth people. Shells, mussel shells and leaves like maple were used. Names were given. They would mimick adult life and roles such as mothers, marriages, death, sometimes sitting around with shells for dishes and cups, dancing to songs, or a big feast.