Native American Wedding Charm Dolls
This pair of dolls were a traditional wedding charm pair. Their purpose was to ensure that both the man and the woman remained faithful and true to each other.
You can see that each figurine is richly dressed with embroidered, multi colored outfits. This is to indicate the prosperity and happiness that the two will find with each other.
On the other hand, note that both are tightly bound - there are no hands or feet extending from the body. You can see the cords keeping their bodies in tight. This represents the self control they exercise in caring for and paying attention only to each other.
In fact, the dolls are then tied to each other, face to face. Joined forever!
Here is another version of the same idea, this time more of a love charm. This set involves both a pair of dolls plus a small medicine bag.
They would sneak a lock of hair or nail clipping or such from the target person, and put it in between the doll figurines. This would supposedly draw that person in to your side.
These specific dolls are from the Menomini tribe. They can be seen at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Native American Dolls
Native American Wedding Traditions
Weddings and Courtships Series by Lisa Shea
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