Name: Queens of Africa Dolls and Book
Made by and When: Fico Toys, circa 2012
Material: Soft vinyl faces; rigid plastic bodies and arms, firm vinyl legs, twist and turn waists, and click-bend knees
Height: 11-1/2-inches
Complexions: Their brown complexions are light (Nneka), medium (Wuraola), and deep (Azeezah).
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: The hair is rooted. Nneka has straight auburn hair and wears a crown. Wurola has curly auburn hair in an upswept style underneath an emerald green silk headwrap. Underneath a dark green printed fabric headwrap, Azeezah has straight hair styled in an elaborate top twist and the rest hangs loose. All dolls have brown-painted almond-shaped eyes and closed mouths. Custom Nneka has auburn braids underneath an elaborate gold headwrap.
Clothes: Nneka wears a black and white circle-print dress trimmed in green at the top and white panties; has a crown. A red clutch and a pink swimsuit are attached to the box liner. Nneka also has an extra shimmery red gown with a sash that reads, “Queen of Love.” Wuraola wears an elaborate green silk dress, a matching headwrap, and white panties; has a gold clutch and a yellow swimsuit attached to the box liner. Azeezah wears an African-print brown and black dress, a matching headwrap, and white panties; has a silver clutch and a white swimsuit attached to the box liner. Accessories for all dolls include a pink hair brush and a doll stand.
Custom Nneka wears a burnt orange lace top, a peach, brown, and tan wrap skirt; a gold headwrap, and white panties; has a red clutch and a pink swimsuit attached to the box liner, and a separately packaged shimmery red gown with a sash that reads: Queen of Love.
Custom Nneka is a complimentary doll from Taofick Okoya, creator of Queens of Africa. Mr. Okoya had Nneka specially styled (dress and hair) for the curator in appreciation of a February 1, 2014, blog post review of the Queens of Africa dolls. After the post was published, Mr. Okoya sent the curator a message through Facebook that read, “I appreciate you! I will make you a special one just for you! Cheers.”
Queens of Africa Book One: Written and illustrated in the style of a comic book, book one introduces the reader to younger versions of Nneka, Wurola, and Azeezah, girls who are best friends. They attend Dreamland International School, “a unique school… that is the envy of all other schools in Lagos… The students of Dreamland International are taught to dream big and make their dreams come true.
Other: “The Queens of Africa program is dedicated, through the use of books, dolls, comics, music and animation series, to help empower children of African descent to be confident and [mature] ethically. The dolls and materials are designed, through fun and engaging materials, to subconsciously promote African heritage. Developed by entrepreneur and philanthropist Taofick Okoya, the program has reached tens of thousands of children across Africa contributing significantly to education programs, particularly in Nigeria. Queens of Africa celebrates being an African girl in the 21st century by drawing on the strengths and achievements of our ancestors and [bringing] them up to date to empower and inspire today’s generation of African girls” (Queens of Africa 2014 website).
The following text is on the back of each doll’s box:
WURAOLA: means “Precious wealth”
Can be shortened to “WURA” or “RAOLA.”
This is a “YORUBA” name from southern part of Nigeria.
AZEEZAH: means “Esteemed”; this can be shortened to ‘ZEZA.”
This is a Muslim name and used commonly in the northern part of Nigeria [amongst] the “HAUSA” who are predominantly Muslim dwellers.
NNEKA: The meaning of this name is “Mother is superior,” which is”IBO” [Igbo] a language from the eastern area of Nigeria, where most of the names are symbolic.
NIGERIA: The largest and most populated black country in Africa and the world, situated at the tail end of the West African coast.
NIGERIA: gained her independence from Britain on October 1st 1960.
NIGERIA: is known for her rich culture and history. Her women are also known for their beauty and high [sense] of fashion.
There are three main tribes in Nigeria. They are Yoruba, Hausa and Ibo.
Wuraola represents Yoruba.
Azeezah represents Hausa.
Nneka represents Ibo.
Gallery
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