What's The Story? Namji Dolls
Originating from the Namji tribe in north Cameroon, Namji dolls are fertility dolls which have various purposes and multiple meanings. They are used as toys with special significance, as charms to enhance women's childbearing ability, as sympathetic medicine to aid barren women and in sex education. Namji dolls are also carried as good luck during a hunt.
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The concept of fertility is highly valued in African societies as being the essence of life. It is deeply rooted in customs and behavior, thus appearing in their art.
Dolls are given a name, fed, and talked to. The most popular place to carry one's doll is strapped to the back, the way real infants are carried around. The doll helps prepare a young Namji woman for her future role as a mother. Though most of them represent females, they sometimes appear as couples.
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Sculptors freely interpret the characteristics of the dolls.They are carved from solid hardwood and adorned with multi-colored bead necklaces, cowrie shells, coins, metal strips, fiber and leather. Namji dolls are considered among the finest and most beautiful dolls of Africa.
The Company: Verve Culture
Verve Culture is a 3-women-run business spanning three generational groups from Baby Boomer, Gen X, to Millennial. They are in constant pursuit of life traveled fully. The more we explore, the more we get inspired. Join us on our journey.
They curate iconic items that are made in the country of origin using traditional practices. They work with a team of amazing artisans and craftsmen who have been partners with them for their entire journey. They are proud to share their stories of heritage and passion and provide a platform to help artisans grow their businesses.
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Also: Waza National Park contains over 30 species of mammals like hartebeest, waterbuck, Sudan cheetahs, lions, and African bush elephants. The world's rarest great ape, the Cross-River gorilla, lives in a few of the forests in this country but was undocumented till the early 20th century.
Destination: Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon is one of the wettest countries on Earth with rainfall of 405 inches of rain a year. It has a long rainy season and short dry season because of its proximity to the equator and Mount Cameroon right behind which restricts rain clouds from going elsewhere.