Although corn husk dolls were considered a children’s toy, they were sometimes used during healing ceremonies or to ward off evil dream spirits. Many thought these dolls were magical charms that helped protect the home, livestock, crop, and overall health.
How do you preserve corn husk dolls?
If you purchase fresh corn in the husks, you can save the husks by letting them air dry completely, and then storing them in a non-airtight box in the garage, until you’re ready to work with them.
How many corn husks do you need for one doll?
To make corn husk dolls, you will need:
- At least 5 corn husks for each doll you plan to make (I picked some up from our local grocery store, but you can find them on Amazon and possibly also in craft stores.)
- String or raffia (we used string to make our dolls, but raffia provides a more natural look)
What Indian tribes made corn husk dolls?
The Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) People’s legend of the corn husk doll tells a story about the first doll that was made by the Corn Spirit. It is said that the doll was once made with a beautiful face and played with the Iroquois children. When the doll saw its reflection, it became vain and treated the children badly.
Why the cornhusk doll has no face?
The Great Spirit had taken it away. Since that time, the Haudenosaunee people do not put a face on their corn husk dolls. This is to remind people, never to think that they are better than anyone else or a great punishment will fall upon them.
Where do corn husk dolls originate?
Corn husk dolls have been made by Northeastern Native Americans probably since the beginnings of corn agriculture more than a thousand years ago. Brittle dried cornhusks become soft if soaked in water and produce finished dolls sturdy enough for children’s toys.
How do you dry corn husks for dolls?
Peel them off the corn and lay them on newspaper to dry for about three days. To soften the dry husks, soak them for a few minutes in a sink filled with warm water. Then take them out of the water and lay them on a towel.
Why do corn husk dolls have no face?
She no longer had a face. The Creator had taken it away. From that time on, the Haudenosaunee did not put faces on their cornhusk dolls as a reminder that vanity can be an obstacle preventing us from accomplishing our appointed tasks.
Why the corn husk doll has no face?
Why would a doll be made out of corn husks?
One legend is that the Spirit of Corn, one of the Three Sisters, made a doll out of her husks to entertain children. The doll had a beautiful face, and began to spend less time with children and more time contemplating her own loveliness. As a result of her vanity, the doll’s face was taken away.
Where do corn husk dolls come from?
