Corn Husk Doll: The Story
“She was instructed to play with all the children and keep them entertained. She traveled to many villages and the children loved her.
Many people would comment on her beauty. Soon the doll forgot about her duties and spent long hours by the water, admiring her reflection.
Her face was removed to remind the people to remain humble and not to become obsessed with appearance, as true beauty is found in fulfilling your commitments.
To this day, the cornhusk doll remains faceless.”’
Haudenosaunee Doll-Maker, Betts Doxtator
Creating our own Haudenosaunee Corn Husk Dolls
In October, Rennie Buenting came to Canada to spend time traveling in the Rocky Mountains for a while, and then to my home in Ottawa, for a wonderful visit. We were so lucky to be together in time for the Indigenous Harvest Festival (Tagwagi) at the nearby Madahoki Farm.
We registered for a Corn Husk Doll making workshop (great story-telling and lots of creative fun), ate Indian Tacos and corn soup, listened to a Haudenosaunee singer accompanied by a very young dancer in his regalia, enjoyed the story of the Three Sisters, Corn, Bean and Squash, admired Spirit Horses, and enjoyed several hours of rich encounters and beautiful surroundings. Here are some photos of our Corn Husk Dolls as we were creating them.
We had more adventures of course, and the time went by so quickly. How fortunate it was to reconnect in person with Rennie, as she was present at my first workshop on Focusing, led by Marian Burke and Tom Larkin, at the Emmaus Centre near Dublin, a few years ago.
I am so grateful to the Irish Focusing Network who made the very happy decision to enable ZOOM practice sessions when the pandemic hit. Belonging to this group, reconnecting with Rennie, Tom and Marian, and becoming friends with so many of you, has had such a positive impact on my life in the last years. MERCI BEAUCOUP MES AMIS ET AMIES!!!
Corn Husk Doll Sculpture
Denise and Rennie with their Corn Husk Dolls
