#1224 Vintage African Beaded Fali Namji Twin Fertility Dolls Cameroon 10.5" H

An impressive  Fali twin dolls from Northern Cameroon, 
also known as *Ham Pilu*. 
The wooden core is richly adorned with beads, leather strips, 
and cowrie shells. 

A fiancé presents this doll to his fiancée as a plea for the blessing of a child.

Superb vintage  African Fali  Namji twin fertility dolls  adorned with multiple layers of trade glass beads leather strips  and cowrie shells, minor beads and shells loss.
"In Cameroon, when a young Fali man becomes betrothed, he makes a doll(ham pilu) from wood and decorates it with hair, beads, and other small objects. He then gives it to his fiance, who wears it in a baby carrier on the back. The doll is a symbol of their marriage commitment and represents their future child. The man gives the doll the gender that he desires for his first-born. The young woman cares for the figure until the promised child is born; at this point, the couple carefully stores the doll away
10.5" h by 6" w by 5" d
thanks