Name: Mapalo
Made by and When: M’simbi Dolls, 2017
Material: All vinyl
Marks: (Stamped across the back) M’simbi / Naturally Beautiful
Height: 18 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Closely rooted natural-textured auburn Afro-style hair, brown inset eyes with upper eyelashes, closed/smiling mouth; the ears have a preplaced area for ear piercing.
Clothes/Accessories: Brightly colored African-print dress, white panties, bare feet; Mapalo has two hang tags. The front of one tag reads: Thank you for choosing M’simbi. The company’s contact information is on the back of the “Thank you” tag. The other tag contains Mapalo’s affirmation: I am not trying to fit in because I was born to stand out. Below that is the company’s tagline for girls: Naturally Beautiful/Dream, Believe, Achieve, Inspire.
Other: Introduced in 2017, Mapalo, which means “blessings” is part of a group of five original dolls by the Zambian company, M’Simbi Dolls. See the other four original dolls in the group photo are courtesy of M’Simbi Dolls, and a trio of dolls in another photo are courtesy of the company.
By 2019, a redesigned head sculpt was used for a second wave of six dolls. The company’s goal remained the same. M’simbi Dolls teaches against internalised colourism, which is defined as feeling inferior and not embracing one’s natural features. We teach cultural identity because we believe that no one should feel inferior because of the colour of their skin or texture of their hair. Each M’simbi doll bears an affirmation tag to encourage girls to speak positively about themselves and to realise their innate potential. In short M’simbi not only affirms black beauty but aims at teaching that beauty is in the colour of your skin and that doesn’t need to change.
Gallery (The group photos are courtesy of M’simbi Dolls.)
Follow the links for additional information.
M’simbi Dolls Teach Cultural Identity
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