The Mossi dolls are carved by village smiths and carvers. They are used for play and magic. The female figure is always depicted without arms & legs. Sometimes they are covered with shells & leather. Quite a few of the dolls have a downward protrusion from the forehead representing the hairdo of an unmarried Mossi girl. A large number of the dolls are phallic in shape indicating fertility. Even scholars have difficulty distinguishing which dolls are used for play & which are used for magic. A few scholars believe that those dolls that are rubbed with palm butter indicate magical use, although Biga does mean child in their language.
8.5"H x 1.5"W x 2"D
