A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
A corn husk doll is made in three pieces to create the head, arms, and shoulders and body. To make the head, rip off a piece of husk and roll it into a ball. Fold a piece of husk over this ball and tie it with a thin strip of husk.
Take another piece of husk and roll it tube like, lengthwise.
Attach this below the neck, and tie it off at the ends to create wrists. Trim the edges.
Split a piece of husk in half. Fold each piece in half. Lay these over the dolls arms to form shoulders.
Take another strip of husk and use it to tie off the waist. Trim the bottom, and you have a doll that is wearing a dress.
If you would like a doll with pants, divide the bottom in half and tie off the ankles with twine.
The story tells us the three (sisters corn, beans, and squash) are the "sustainers of life". The corn Spirit was so thrilled at being one of the sustainers of life that she asked the Creator what more she could do for her people. The Creator said that a beautiful doll could be formed from the husks. The Creator set to work to form the doll. When finished he gave the doll a beautiful face, and sent it to the children of the Iroquois people to play with, and to make them happy.
The doll went from village to village playing with the children and doing whatever she could for the children. Everywhere she went everyone would tell her how beautiful she was, so after a while she became vain. The Creator spoke to her and explained that this was not the right kind of behavior, and she agreed not to be this way anymore. The Creator told her that if she continued with this behavior he would punish her, but he would not tell her how he would do it. She agreed not to act that way again, and things went on as before.
One afternoon she was walking by a creek and she glanced into the water. As she admired herself, she couldn't help thinking how beautiful she was, because indeed she was beautiful. At this time the Creator sent a giant screech owl out of the sky and it snatched her reflection from the water. When she looked again, she had no reflection. This was the punishment the Creator put upon her.
When a mother makes a doll for her child, she tells them this legend, which is to remind the child that it is wrong to think they are better than anyone else, and they must know that the Creator has given a special gift to everyone.
How To Make Corn Husk Dolls
To make a corn husk doll you will need scissors, twine, and dried corn husks. They can be softened with warm water.
Submitted by Native North American Traveling College.
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