GourmetSleuth - Corn Husk Dolls

corn husk dolls

Corn Husk Dolls - The other use for corn..
Corn plays an essential role in Mexican culture. Every element of corn is used from the silks for medicine to the fungus on the kernels (huitlacoche). This is an example of one of the most dramatic uses for corn is in Mexican crafts.

corn husks dolls, made in Michoacan, Mexico available at Gourmetsleuth.com

Dolls Throughout History
Corn husk dolls are seen in most all cultures that harvest and use corn. The native American Indians have all produced dolls of varying styles. Later the European settlers learned from the natives and made corn husk dolls for their children too.

Corn husk dolls are still made in many societies. Here is an example from Botswana, Africa.

African Corn Husk Dolls

image from nguni.com

El Salvador
The dolls of El Salvador have faces and range from simple to ornate costumes. The dolls are a specialty of the town Santiago Texacuangos and are referred to as "tusa"

Corn Husk Dolls from El Salvador
photo credit: 4elsalvador.com

Vintage Mexican Dolls

photo credit: faith55

Credits and Sources
Here is a collection of sources if you'd like to read and learn more about corn husk dolls.

Oneida Indian Dolls - Images and information about corn husk dolls in the Oneida nation.

National Gallery - A corn husk doll from the 1800's in Massachusetts.

Native American Indian Tribes - How to make a corn husk doll

Why dolls have no face - The legend behind why many native American corn husk dolls have no face.

Czech - Dolls and history from the Czech Republic. Dolls are available for sale.

mexican corn husk dolls from Veronica's

Mexican Corn Husk Dolls
It is traditional in Mexico to use both dyed and natural corn husks for doll making. Also traditional textiles are used for costumes.

Our doll selection is based on costumes from each state in Mexico. Availability varies.

photo by: allard-auctions Iroquois doll, early 1900's