Ukrainian folk doll: the history of appearance and manufacturing traditions

Ukrainian folk doll is a unique phenomenon that we inherited from our ancestors. At one time, such dolls were an integral part of the life of any family. After all, it was believed that they were endowed with magical powers.

Each region was characterized by a certain appearance of the folk doll. The material from which the toys were made could also differ: straw, pieces of cloth, old clothes, hay, vegetables, etc. Even the process of creating dolls was called differently. For example, in the Kyiv, Cherkassy and Poltava regions they “twisted” or “knitted” lyalka; in Kharkov - "sewed" Lyalka.

Knotted dolls became the most famous around the world. According to found ethnographic records, the age of these toys is at least 130 years old.



A cross was most often applied to the face of the products. This tradition came to Ukraine from the northern part of the Caucasus. Girls made them for role-playing games in the family or wedding.

According to a number of researchers, ancient ceremonial dolls are the descendants of game nodal dolls. Nodal specimens are considered the only kind of folk doll that has an exact localization (Middle Dnieper region). Other types of dolls were present in all regions of Ukraine.

There were many variations, both in size and in the method of manufacture, for baby dolls. It did not take much time to create such a doll. Craftswomen hastily tied up clothes twisted into a roller with a scarf. When the child finished the game, the doll was disassembled, and the clothes were used for their intended purpose.

But there were also "long-playing" products. From unnecessary pieces of fabric, the craftsmen formed the body of the baby, the facial features were painted with improvised means. Often the baby doll became an addition to the mother doll: it was attached at chest level. Until the middle of the twentieth century. this type of folk doll remained the most sought-after toy for girls from the countryside.



Another popular toy among Ukrainians was cruciform dolls. Their prototype was a toy made of straw, which had a similar structure in the form of a cross.

Often, children played with dolls made from natural materials (hay, corn, inflorescences, leaves, root crops). After the game, such a sample was fed to livestock.

Of course, motanka dolls have become the most iconic folk dolls. Soon a video will be released on our YouTube channel, thanks to which you will not only learn more about their history, but also be able to do it yourself.

In the meantime, we invite you to visit the section, where we have collected the best authentic items that will be a worthy addition to your collection.