Mossi (Burkina Faso) Mossi Doll Wood

Many Mossi females own dolls called biiga which means "child". Most of these Mossi dolls are wood with leather, and commissioned from a local carver. Some dolls are passed down or inherited from a female family member. Because most of the dolls are made of wood, they are also commonly called raog'biga or "child in wood". Mossi dolls are stylized female figures, carved in a cylindrical format, with an extremely narrow semicircular head. In most cases, artists omit arms and legs from the form. In this example, the form atop the head represents a braid of hair as do the lines incised on the head of the figure. The braided lock of hair dropping down over the forehead is believed to originate from a traditional hairstyle of an unmarried young woman. The single woman would wear the braid over her forehead until she married and at that time, it would be worn in the back of the head draping the neck. Some biiga also show references to fertility. Breasts appear stretched representing those of a young mother and symbolize motherhood. Many Mossi dolls also have markings on the chest and stomach. These marks are indicative of the female scarification rites that occur as West African females approach puberty. Representing a female figure, these dolls function as toys, but serve to prepare girls for their future as mothers. Over the years, the girl will carry and hold the doll and treat it with butters or oils. The dolls are washed and rubbed with dirt and nature's products to enhance surface patination. From Burkina Faso, these dolls are intentionally phallic in shape. It is believed that this physical reference to the male partner would influence the woman and promote her ability to conceive. While the education of a Mossi girl is a primary function of the dolls, some also hold importance for adult women. For instance, a woman will bring the doll along when she departs her father's home to live with her new husband. The hope in housing the doll in this new environment is that the woman will become pregnant. If she does not conceive after a period of time, the woman will begin to pay greater attention to the biiga. This care ritual will continue until a child is born.