For our opening season (summer 2010) we only stock the MERU MASK and the ASHANTI DOLL. As it has been our first time as an importer, we wanted to make our lives easy at border control. However, we've learned a lot from the first experience and coupled with the fact that so many of you ask about MASKS, you can guarantee to find a full variety in May 2011! Get ready for it, you'll surely be pleased!
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The MERU MASK
A traditional hand carved mask, using the traditional carving techniques made from meru oak. These masks come from the Meru (northern) region of Kenya.
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The ASHANTI DOLL
Although these dolls are made in Kenya, Ghana is the home of the Ashanti tribe for whom the fertility doll is very important. This fetish, the Ashanti figure of course, is the fertility doll! Made from polished soft wood, and stained black, the head is in the shape of a large flat disc. The forehead is high, the nose is flat and the mouth is small. The head is held up by a slender neck, which appears to be composed of a series of rings. The body, neck and arms form the shape of a cross, the arms having no joints or hands. The base is circular, which allows the object to stand free. The doll is either kept close to a woman who is trying to conceive a child, or it is carried on the back of an expectant mother during her pregnancy so that her child will be born beautiful just like the doll.