Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!
Every child loves dolls, especially little girls. Did you know that there are two doll festivals in the world, one in India and the other in Japan.
India
India is a land of festivals. Each one emerging from different traditions and cultures all of them eagerly looked forward to by the people, especially by children. For example, Holi is the time to revel in colours, Diwali is the time to light lamps, eat sweets and burn crackers, Eid is the time to meet with family, receive a gift of money and eat yummy foods. From North to South there are festivals galore, but the most looked forward to especially in the south is Bommai Golu – The festival of Dolls celebrated during the nine days of Navaratri.
Families display their collection of dolls, comprising of gods and goddesses, grandma and grandpa dolls with nodding heads, dancing dolls, scenes from the villages, or temples, family life, kitchen utensils or even kids playing street games. Anything and everything according to the whims and fancies of children and adults alike. I even attended one that had a nursery rhyme theme with a Jack atop a hill by the well and Jill at the bottom with a broken bucket!
The dolls maybe made of cloth, papier mache or even wood! In fact, when a daughter is getting married she receives a gift of two marachhi (wooden) dolls, a male and female for the time when she will be setting up her golu in her new home.
Women dressed in gorgeous silks, decked with jewellery come to visit and participate in the pooja. Especial foods, such as sundal and payasam are first offered to the gods and after that to the guests. The first three days of Navaratri are dedicated to Durga, the next three days to Lakshmi and the last three days to Saraswati – all goddesses!
Japan
Interestingly, Japan too has a doll festival, it’s called Hinamatsuri. Hina means dolls and Matsuri means festival. It’s a festival that is celebrated on the 3 rd of March every year. Little girls age one and above are gifted a doll, or a set of dolls. Families normally ensure that girls have a set of the two main dolls usually representing the Emperor and Empress, before their first Hinamatsuri. The dolls are usually fairly expensive and are handed down from generation to generation, true family heirlooms.
The dolls are displayed on a tiered platform very similar to the ‘padis’ of South India. The dolls of the Emperor and Empress occupy the highest level and below them are the other dolls.
This festival is held to pray for the healthy growth, prosperity and happiness of girls and is discontinued when they reach the age of ten. For Hinamatsuri and the preceding days, girls hold parties with their friends. Typical foods such as multi-colored rice crackers and rice cakes, as well as strawberries wrapped in bean paste are served.
For Hinamatsuri and the preceding days, girls hold parties with their friends. Typical foods such as multi-colored rice crackers and rice cakes, as well as strawberries wrapped in bean paste are served.
