South African Zulu People Child Protection Charm: "Udoli"
Collection: Everyday Connections
Object Category: Charms and Talismans
Object Type: Child Protection Charms
Continent: Africa
Geographic Region: Southern Africa
width: 1.25 in;
height: 4 in;
depth: 1.25 in
This is a South African Zulu people children's charm doll. Beaded dolls like this one are now produced commercially and whether they are used as children's toys or for child protection rituals, the dolls are all referred to as "udoli."
This doll is a Sangoma doll made by Zulu mothers, for their children. These traditional dolls represent the Zulu Sangoma, herbalist and soothsayer.
Source:
"Isn't S/he a Doll", Elizabeth L. Cameron, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History (1996), p. 114.