Namibia Doll Okahandja Herero People

Doll representing the Herero people of Namibia, wearing a Victorian style dress. This type of dress is derived from the early 20th century gowns worn by the wives of the German missionaries working in that area during the German colonization. These gowns evolved to colorful voluminous rounded dresses resembling healthy cows and the headdress is shaped like a cowhorn, reflecting the importance of cattle to the Herero people. Patchwork dresses are every-day dresses, while garments made of only one material are worn at special occasions.

This doll in particular is dressed for Herero Day, held in Okahandja once a year on August 26 to remember the chieftains that died during the Herero Wars against the Germans (1904–1908).

Folklore is in the air… uhm… ear!

Details

Object Doll wearing traditional costume
Origin Namibia
Culture Herero people
Medium Fabric, stockinette, beads, imitation leather, ribbon
Mark or Tag None
Made by Unknown
Size H 32 cm
Dated Not dated
Acquired Online 2009

Postcard

Here's a postcard that matches this doll. It shows how the people living in Namibia are dressed in their traditional costume.

Text on the back of the postcard: 'Paasfees. Easter time. Osterzeit'. Printed in Windhoek, Namibia. Never sent, no postmark.

Happy collecting,