#1228 Vintage African Beaded Fali Namji Fertility Doll Cameroon 11" H

Superb vintage  African Fali  Namji fertility doll decorated with multiple layers of trade glass beads 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
11" h by 5" w by 5" d
thanks