FALI AFRICAN FERTILITY DOLL FIGURE (HAM PILU) - CAMEROON WOOD WEST AFRICA

Description

FALI Fertility Doll - Cameroon
The Fali are a subgroup of the Fulbe [Fulani]. In Cameroon and Niger, when a young man becomes betrothed he makes a doll [ham pilu] from wood and decorates it with hair, beads and other small objects. He then gives it to his fiancé, who wears it in a baby carrier on her back. The doll is a symbol of their marriage commitment and represents their future child. The man gives the doll the gender that he desires for the first born. The young woman cares for the doll until the child is born; the doll is then carefully stored away.
This fine example measures 6.5” tall.
This figure does not come with a stand.