Fertility dolls


BY PURCHASING THIS ITEM *YOU* PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT= FOR IMPOVERISHED SUB-SAHARAN COMMUNITIES AND *CONTRIBUTE* TO NGO GRASSROOTS A= IDS ORPHAN PROGRAMS

This item is purchased by donating<= /a> to the fundraising programs of our non-profit. The price is the minimum donation for you to receive ONE (1) original hand-carved:
Fair Trade African Wood Art fertility dolls: 5” Figurines Medium: decidu= ous wood
full description=
Country:	Kenya and Tanzania	Pictured is a generic pair of beautiful, faux ebony figu= res carved in Tanzania and Kenya. The figures are modeled after ancient wood dolls t= hat were believed to bring fertility to a barren woman. We have no data to support the reputed ‘fertility’ powers, but who knows what may happen? Today, the attractive dolls are symbolic woodcarvings, linking many generations of traditions and beliefs to the present, as souvenirs made for the tourist market. Made through= out eastern Africa where renewable and sustainable deciduous tree resources a= re plentiful, they sell for more than $25 in US home décor stores. We are abl= e to offer them at moderate prices by contracting directly with the artisan at= fair trade prices. The abstract shape and detail of the fair trade dolls is imaginative and unique to the east African artists. They hand carve the male and female do= ll the same except for the breasts from deciduous wood. The dolls are painte= d or dyed black and then polished for an ebony wood finish.<= /p> Carved by hand, in the African bush und= er the hot sun, with no utilities, some imperfections maybe expected. These = add to the beauty and uniqueness of the product. Peruse and scrutinize the su= perb artistic talent that the carvers express in these dolls. Each pair is an original work of art that you will be proud to own or gift. No two pairs, however similar, are identical. Detail: includes facial features sans hair and traditional skirts. The female doll is distinguishable from the male, by her breasts. Deciduous wo= od: Varieties of non-indigenous trees such as mango, poplar, or saligna gum (= Eucalyptus saligna) are used. The sustainable and renewable, soft, fine-grained wood resources are from commercial forests and orchards or tree cutting servic= es. We actively encourage the use of these woods to protect indigenous ebony forests, which a= re under constant pressure due to the demand for carvings in this beautiful black wood. The demand has devalued ebony, ordinarily a highly expensive wood a= nd led to the rapid and wholesale destruction of ebony forests. Read our policy on the use of indigenous trees for arts and crafts. Décor uses:<= /span> The popular eye-catching dolls display well and will add to your doll, African, or ethnic collection or décor. Visitors will notice them and bef= ore long you’ll be engaged in a stimulating conversation= about them when you can tell everyone how you support the unemployed and AIDS-impacted communities in Africa. Gift:= The dolls will be a delightful gift to young and old alike. Print this description to accompany the gift to the recipient. They will be thrilled= to know the gift they received came to them by helping a good cause. Care: Polish at least once a year with a good wood oil or polish (we use Scott’s liquid Gold). In forced air and dry climate environments, polish at least every six months. Any scratches or minor chips resulting from use may be sanded (fi= ne paper), if necessary, and re-polished without any problems. With minimal care, the dolls will last a lifetime and many subsequent generations.
Region:	East Africa<= o:p>
Artist:	Unknown=
Date:	Current=
Type:	Wood carving=
Medium:	Deciduous wo= od (faux ebony)
Original:	Hand carved ethnic figures
Style:	Male and fem= ale (pair)
Theme:	Elephant

Pictures:	Generic*
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE

Nominal Dimensions and Data
height x width x depth (variance)=
inches=	11¾ x 3¼ x ⅜ (+½)
millimeters<= /p>	295 x 80 x 9 (+12)
Weight [Mass]<= /p>	5.5 oz (= +½) [156 g (+14)]<= /p>
© Kwaze-Kwasa [USA] Inc.
This is a general description of the artwork in our possession. Thus, data are approximate, even though there could be slight variations in size, color, and shape from the accompanying photographs, the dolls you receive will be a very close match to the gene= ric photographs. Satisfaction guaranteed! Should you be dissatisfied for any reason whatsoever, the product may be swapped for a similar or any other product of similar or lesser value.<= o:p>

Many tribes = in sub-Saharan Africa have traditions going back thousands of years with res= pect to fertility. These dolls are just one of the many legends and representa= tive of how problems were solved without modern science and technology. Magic powers were placed in the dolls after secret rituals by the older women in the tribe, who having themselves borne many children, knew how to invoke the fertility spirits. The dolls would be placed by the one needing assistance secretly in her area of the communal compound. Cultural beliefs in the ma= le-dominated, polygamous African societies meant it was incomprehensible for men to be infertile. In many parts of Africa, these beliefs persist even today. The wise old women knew the ‘problem’ could be the male, hence the pair, and = the unspeakable was discretely addressed. Secrecy was necessary to avoid embarrassing the man whose reaction would be to kick t= he woman out, especially if he has other wives and children. With a tarnished reputation, no one would want an unproductive mouth to feed and her very survival is jeopardized by a barren reputation. High infant and child mortality rates placed many women and not only the barren under a constant burden to reproduce. The harsh realities of survival of the people and th= en to be cared for in their senior years forced many women to bear many chil= dren during their lives.
Your generous donation helps us prov= ide sustainable employment to the impoverished communities and funding to the= ir grassroots AIDS orphan programs<= /a>.

BY PURCHASING THIS ITEM *YOU* PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT= FOR IMPOVERISHED SUB-SAHARAN COMMUNITIES AND *CONTRIBUTE* TO NGO GRASSROOTS A= IDS ORPHAN PROGRAMS