Christmas Dolls Of Bolivia: Unique Traditions Revealed

Christmas in Bolivia is a unique and special time. With a high population of Christians, the holiday is steeped in religious tradition and ritual. Unlike in many other countries, Christmas in Bolivia is not about presents or decorations, but about faith, family, and giving to those less fortunate. So, what dolls are used to celebrate Christmas in Bolivia? Well, one of the most important decorations in a Bolivian home at Christmas is the pesebre or nacimiento, a nativity scene that takes centre stage. These are often hand-carved and can be bought at markets or made at home from clay or other materials. In the past, rag dolls were also a popular gift for children at Christmas, and these are still used today to celebrate the holiday. In more recent years, Barbie-like 'cholita' dolls, dressed in traditional Bolivian clothing, have also become popular.

Rag dolls and brass cars were popular Christmas gifts for children in the 1940s and 1950s

In Bolivia, Christmas is a deeply religious celebration, with devoted Catholics making up around 77% of the population. The holiday is marked by Mass, processions, and acts of kindness towards employees. However, in the 1940s and 1950s, it was also a time when children received gifts, and rag dolls and brass cars were particularly popular.

Ivone Juarez, writing for Pagina Siete, quotes several older Bolivians who fondly remember the gifts they received as children during this time. One interviewee, Betty Terrazas, recalls the excitement she felt when her parents gave her a long-legged rag doll named Rubí: "I grabbed her by the hand and made her walk. I named her Rubí, hugged her and kissed her all night...". Felix Vargas reminisces about receiving a small brass truck made in Japan, while Rosa, born in 1940, remembers that imported toys like these were often expensive and considered a luxury.

Indeed, at the time, toys in Bolivia were mostly imported, and only accessible to wealthier families. For children from less affluent backgrounds, a more affordable option was to make their own toys. Narciso Quispe, for example, recalls using medicine boxes and corks from soda lids to create small cars. Inmates at the San Pedro prison also crafted tin toys, usually trucks, though these were still too expensive for most children.

Despite the excitement of receiving gifts, the children of the 1940s and 1950s also remember Christmas as a time of strong faith. Many participated in religious processions and worshipped the baby Jesus, sometimes moulding their own Nativity scenes from clay. The holiday was also about spending time with family, as Terrazas reflects: "The most important thing was to be with the family to wait for the birth of the Child God."

Barbie-like 'cholita' dolls are dressed in traditional Bolivian clothing

Barbie-like cholita dolls are a unique feature of Christmas in Bolivia. These dolls are dressed in traditional Bolivian clothing, showcasing the country's indigenous heritage and cultural pride.

The dolls are inspired by the Aymara indigenous women who proudly wear the "cholita" style. The Barbie-like dolls depart from the typical Barbie with blonde hair, high heels, and a pink skirt. Instead, these dolls have black hair, often braided, and don low black shoes, a shawl, and a vibrant, patterned long skirt known as a "pollera." The finishing touch is the distinctive bowler hat favoured by Aymara women.

These Barbie-inspired dolls are crafted by Bolivian artisans, who import the dolls from China and then transform them in workshops. The artisans dress the dolls in traditional Bolivian costumes, adding unique touches that represent their cultural heritage. The "'cholita' Barbie, as it is sometimes called, is a source of pride for Bolivians, reflecting their identity and traditions.

The dolls are sold during the popular Alasitas festival in La Paz, a three-week fair featuring miniature items. They are not affiliated with the Barbie brand or Mattel Inc., but they have become a beloved part of Bolivian culture and Christmas traditions.

In Bolivia, Christmas is a deeply religious celebration, with the majority of the population being devoted Catholics. The focus is on attending Mass, processions, and showing kindness to others, especially employees, who are often gifted with a canasta (a large basket of cooking essentials and treats) by their employers.

While Western Christmas influences are seeping into Bolivian culture, traditional rituals remain strong. The most important decoration in Bolivian homes during Christmas is the pesebre or nacimiento, a nativity scene that takes centre stage, rather than a decorated tree. The celebration of Christmas in Bolivia is a blend of religious devotion, cultural pride, and unique traditions, with the Barbie-like cholita dolls playing a special role in capturing the essence of the country's indigenous heritage.

Vintage folk art dolls from Bolivia are available for purchase online

Online marketplaces such as Etsy and eBay offer a wide range of vintage folk art dolls from Bolivia. A search on Etsy yields results such as antique folk dolls with painted faces, handmade Amish dolls, and primitive-style cloth and wooden dolls. These dolls vary in size, with some measuring around 11 inches, while others are as tall as 22 inches.

EBay also has a selection of antique black folk art dolls, including primitive cloth dolls, vintage handmade dolls, and antique composition dolls. Some of these dolls are dressed in denim overalls or floral dresses, while others are more simply designed, featuring stitched or painted faces and bonnets.

The prices of these vintage dolls vary, with some sellers offering discounts. For example, a 19th-century early cloth body doll with a wool body and a hand-painted face was advertised for $75 on Etsy, a 25% discount from its original price. Similarly, a vintage folk art doll wearing denim overalls and carrying cotton was listed on eBay for $145.50, a reduction from its previous price.

Purchasing these vintage folk art dolls from Bolivia allows buyers to connect with the country's cultural traditions and celebrate the artistry of handmade crafts. Whether for personal collection or as a unique gift, these dolls offer a glimpse into the past and showcase the beauty of Bolivian folk art.

The most important decoration in a Bolivian home at Christmas is the pesebre or nacimiento, a nativity scene

In Bolivia, Christmas is a deeply religious celebration. With approximately 77% of the population identifying as devoted Catholics, the holiday is marked by Mass, processions, and acts of kindness towards employees. As such, the most important decoration in a Bolivian home at Christmas is the pesebre or nacimiento, a nativity scene.

The pesebre is a far cry from the tinsel, fairy lights, and Christmas trees that are commonly seen in other countries. Instead, this nativity scene is often hand-carved and takes centre stage in most homes, with churches featuring larger, more intricate displays that include life-size cattle and biblical figures. The simple decorations have religious meaning, reflecting the importance of faith in Bolivian culture.

The nativity scene is also prominent in churches, which go all out with their displays. These pesebres include life-size figures of the Three Wise Men, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in his straw crib. The inclusion of these figures in both homes and churches underscores the significance of the Christmas story in Bolivian culture.

In addition to the pesebre, Bolivians may also decorate their homes with gourds. These gourds are carved and decorated to create small nativity scenes, adding a unique touch to their Christmas traditions. While some Bolivian homes have started to adopt Western-style decorations, the pesebre remains the focal point, reminding families of the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Eve is the most important day of the Christmas season in Bolivia. Families attend the Midnight Mass, called the Misa del Gallo, or "Mass of the Rooster", returning home early in the morning when the roosters awaken. This Mass is followed by a feast of picana, a traditional soup made with meat, potatoes, corn, and vegetables, accompanied by roast beef or pork, salad, and fruit.

Children in Bolivia receive gifts on Epiphany Eve, not Christmas

In Bolivia, Christmas is a deeply religious celebration, with devoted Catholics making up around 77% of the population. The holiday is reserved for Mass, processions, and showing kindness to employees. While Christmas trees and decorations are becoming more common, the most important decoration in a Bolivian home is the pesebre (or nacimiento), a nativity scene that takes centre stage in homes and churches.

Christmas Eve is the most important time of the season in Bolivia. Families attend the Midnight Mass of the Rooster (Misa del Gallo), so-called because locals return home at the same time that roosters are waking up. One unique tradition is to bring two offerings to Mass: a small baby Jesus figurine and something that reflects one's profession, such as small shoes for a cobbler or a loaf of bread for a baker.

Christmas Day itself is a more relaxed affair, with families sipping hot chocolate, eating buñuelos (a doughnut-like pastry drizzled in syrup), and meeting up with friends.

Children in Bolivia do not receive gifts on Christmas Day. Instead, they get presents on Epiphany Eve, the night before the Epiphany on 6 January. Kids place their shoes outside their door, and the Three Kings leave gifts in them during the night.

In the past, children in Bolivia would have received simple gifts such as rag dolls or brass trucks. These days, Christmas is becoming more commercialised, and children from wealthier families might receive gifts like skateboards, bicycles, and Barbie-like 'cholita' dolls dressed in traditional Bolivian costumes.

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