Fertility doll "mwana hiti"

Description

wood, brown patina, of typical abstract form with “split” coiffure, adorned with several strings of miniature glass beads, min. dam., small missing parts;
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 their hands. The doll is a kind of substitute child, until the woman will have a “real” one.