Namji Fertility Fetish

The Namji people of Cameroon create a wide variety of important tribal dolls used by young girls and older women. Most often they are objects of play for girls who are priming themselves for motherhood. The figures can be purchased as new from a market or passed down from mother to child. The carved styles will differ but all will adhere to Namji traditional custom. The dolls perform one basic function, which is to promote fertility. When played with and cared for the young girls learn how to tend to a baby. Much like in other cultures where the children dress the doll up in clothes and carry it around as if it were real.

African dolls in general can have a duel objectivity. In special cases where an older woman is having trouble conceiving or bearing a child, perceived objects of play can become serious items of worship that are believed to possess magical, spiritual qualities. These items are known as fetishes such as the figure on display. They are not bought loosely at markets rather they are crafted specially for the individual in need by one select carver. The doll is then endowed with supernatural powers by the Nganga (tribal spiritualist)in hopes to grant the wish of the patron. The Nganga creates and activates this power by placing medicines such as animal or human parts, clay, plants, metals and other indigenous items around or inside the doll. The object is subject to food offerings and prayer on a regular basis by the owner out of faith and to maintain the objects' level of power. This fetish was prepared to encourage fertility in a barren woman. The belly has been carved out to create a hollow cavity where a metal stake with leather straps has been incorporated as the magical device. Despite obvious age a few decorative beads and cowry shells still remain intact. Our fetish is a one of a kind selection.

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