A Bandit from Mexico

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 106, 29 January 1938, Page 7 (Supplement)

A Bandit from Mexico

TN a certain little native village in Mexico, dolls such as this one are cleverly made from interwoven corn husks. Some are in the forms of women, dressed in native costume, and the husks are coloured. Some, as in the photograph, are “mal hombres.” or bad men. This bandit has a pistol and cartridge belt, and even features, all made entirely from the husks. Perhaps this doll-making in the little village is something like the poi-making of our own Maoris, but of course, the pols have a definite use. These dolls, however, may have some use too. They

may take part in somfi religious ceremony, for instance, many of which are celebrated by the Mexican tribes. In England “corn dollies” are made to hang in barns after the harvest has been cut, to bring good luck for next year’s harvest. Fifty or sixty unbroken stalks are taken from the wheat sheaf. These are plaited into a spiral, and the corn-heads are left in a bunch at the end. It is interesting to note how many different countries utilise grasses, or flax, for making things, such as dolls, baskets, mats, clothing and even houses. It is a custom found all over the world.