The dolls came about through a series of synchronistic events, dreams and online communication, born from, inspiring and creating deep friendships with artists and medicine people of Native American heritage in New Mexico, Nebraska and of Mexico. Each doll was entirely hand assembled by Hannah, and created as a deeply spiritual meditation to connect to the unique “Spirit” heart of each individual.
Hannah always treats each Spirit Doll with great care. If there is a face, she paints the face and eyes in only when the entire doll has been sewn, out of respect for the spirit of the doll in its creation. Once the face has been painted/acknowledged, the doll is then carefully wrapped in a shawl so that it feels safe and protected while watching it’s clothing being hand sewn.
Once each doll is complete, there is a blessing ceremony comprising of smudging, drumming and spoken prayers before the doll is sent to its human spirit guardian.
The name “Spirit Doll” was suggested for the dolls by her spiritual father, the Elder 3Crows of the Asanti Dakota tribe. The term Spirit Dolls is from a description in the book Fool’s Crow, Wisdom and Power
Through the making of the Spirit Dolls, Hannah has been invited to the United States, to study the Red Road with a medicine woman in New Mexico, as well as her spiritual father 3Crows.
(Meet Mago Contributor) Hannah Baek Wha.