Voodoo doll

stekemest · 15th November 2008, 07:32 PM

That's not about arms or armour, I hope it's ok to post this nevertheless. This is the best place I know to ask about ethnographic pieces.

A friend of mine is looking for a real "voodoo doll", one that has been traditionally made, no tourist stuff. I don't know much about such things, do they even exist?
If any of you can help me/us to find such a piece, that would be a huge help. Thank you very much.

Peter

David · 15th November 2008, 10:13 PM

Well "Voodoo dolls" as they are most usually thought of, sticking in pins to bring pain and misfortune to another, do not exist. They are merely Hollywood myth.
The idea for them probably comes from the "minkisi", nail fetishes from the area of the Congo. If your friend is looking for a true ethnographic artifact this might be it. If he is looking for some pin-sticking Hollywood stereotype he is out of luck.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN

stekemest · 16th November 2008, 12:04 AM

Thank you David, I'll tell him.

He is looking for a gift for his father who has done many travels throughout his life and collected pieces from all over the world. He thought an authentic "voodoo doll" would fit to his "collection". I'm sure such a "minkisi" will do as well.

Peter

Dajak · 16th November 2008, 12:59 AM

Hi David why you think Voodoo Dolls don t exist ??

Ben

David · 16th November 2008, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi David why you think Voodoo Dolls don t exist ??

Well Ben, because i know a fair bit about the Vodoun religion, having many close friends who are actual initiates, and it is not a part of the religion, merely a Hollywood stereotype.

VVV · 16th November 2008, 02:49 PM

David and Ben,

I don't know much about Vodoun religion but I have seen dolls like that used in Malaysia (in Gimlette and Skeat there are pictures of them).
And based on classical works on magic they seem to exist all over the world.

Michael

15th November 2008, 07:32 PM	#1
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Voodoo doll That's not about arms or armour, I hope it's ok to post this nevertheless. This is the best place I know to ask about ethnographic pieces. A friend of mine is looking for a real "voodoo doll", one that has been traditionally made, no tourist stuff. I don't know much about such things, do they even exist? If any of you can help me/us to find such a piece, that would be a huge help. Thank you very much. Peter

15th November 2008, 10:13 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,044	Well "Voodoo dolls" as they are most usually thought of, sticking in pins to bring pain and misfortune to another, do not exist. They are merely Hollywood myth. The idea for them probably comes from the "minkisi", nail fetishes from the area of the Congo. If your friend is looking for a true ethnographic artifact this might be it. If he is looking for some pin-sticking Hollywood stereotype he is out of luck. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN Attached Images

16th November 2008, 12:04 AM	#3
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Thank you David, I'll tell him. He is looking for a gift for his father who has done many travels throughout his life and collected pieces from all over the world. He thought an authentic "voodoo doll" would fit to his "collection". I'm sure such a "minkisi" will do as well. Peter

16th November 2008, 12:59 AM	#4
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi David why you think Voodoo Dolls don t exist ?? Ben

16th November 2008, 02:49 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	David and Ben, I don't know much about Vodoun religion but I have seen dolls like that used in Malaysia (in Gimlette and Skeat there are pictures of them). And based on classical works on magic they seem to exist all over the world. Michael