Search The Editor's Blog

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

LOVE: Barbie's Dolls Of The World—Africa



((  Written By: Nani Hapa  ))  Barbie's Dolls Of The World Collection spans globally across generations to represent Barbie dressed in aspirational versions of traditional dress from various countries.  The Nigerian Barbie doll, released in 1990, wears a brown, beige, and black swirled dress with golden accents, as well as golden armbands and matching slip-on shoes. Her black hair is pulled slightly away from her face, and tied with a matching head-scarf.  1996's Ghanian Barbie doll wears an authentically styled Kente cloth tunic dress that ties into a bow below her knees, a brightly colored turban, and flat golden sandals.
The Princess of South Africa Barbie doll, released in 1999, wears a traditional Ndebele-inspired dress. The Moroccan Barbie doll, also released in 1999, is dressed in a Moroccan orange and fuchsia dress, and accessorized in gold.   Oh how I wish I had these growing up, but at least I can gift them!  The dolls are no longer available for purchase via www.barbiecollector.com, but they can be found via online retailers such as Amazon and Ebay.


((  Photo Credits:  Barbie  ))

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

These are just too cute for words! I want all of them :)

Jamelia said...

I love them all, but the South African Barbie in her Ndebele colours and short hair is just too fabulous to pass up. Sad to only hear about these now ... I was still playing with Barbies when these were released.