Fertility doll "mwana hiti" ·  Tanzania, Zaramo · ID: 3033719

Description

wood, brown patina, typical abstract form with “split” crested coiffure, drilled holes, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion;
Zaramo female initiates keep such figures during their period of seclusion and coming out ceremonies. After the ceremony the young women wear the “mwana hiti” around the neck or hold it in her hands. The doll is a kind of substitute child, until the woman will have a “real” one.

The object Fertility doll “mwana hiti” with the object ID 3033719 was last part of the auction 71st tribal art auction at November 24, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 490 achieved a sales price of EUR 150.

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