Description

A Namji doll, also known as a Dowayo doll, is a traditional wooden figure created by the Namji (or Dowayo) people, who are an ethnic group in northern Cameroon. These dolls are carved from wood and often decorated with beads, cowrie shells, leather, metal, and sometimes cloth. They are typically used as fertility symbols and are given to young girls as playthings to help prepare them for motherhood. The dolls are also believed to have protective powers and are often kept in the home as a charm for good luck and fertility. The intricate decorations and the symbolic significance make Namji dolls highly valued as both cultural artifacts and decorative items.