The Seminole and Miccosukkee are famous for their handmadedolls, which are made of palmetto fiber husk and stuffed with cotton. The Seminole Doll accurately portrays the clothing and hairstyle worn by traditional Seminole men and women.
Seminole and Miccosukee dolls have been a tradition since the late 19th century, however these early dolls were no more than simple toys for children made out of sticks and rags.
By the early 20th century, the dolls became a part of the tourist trade and their purpose shifted from children’s toy to a commodity. They is still a favorite item of purchase at the many festivals and “powwow” events attended by Seminole vendors.
Dating before 1918, Seminole and Miccosukee men carved dolls out of wood and clothed them in traditional Seminole and Miccosukee outfits to sell to tourists. It was taboo, however, to carve realistic dolls that resembled a specific person.
The Seminole and Miccosukee believed that a realistic doll would bring harm to the person it looked like, as well as to the person who made it.
The palmetto fiber dolls that you see today are not exact images of Seminole and Miccosukee people, but altered impressions of features important to the tribes, such as hairstyle and clothing.
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