Where are these dolls from?

What kind of costumes are they wearing?

Where do styles come from?

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Answers:

Where are these dolls from?

These dolls were made in South America, in the countries of Peru and Bolivia. They were brought to the Karshner Museum in 1994.

What kind of costumes are they wearing?

The costumes these dolls are wearing are examples of traditional Peruvian and Bolivian dress. Throughout Mexico and Central and South America, there is a dazzling variety of costume, beautiful and elaborate styles that are often unique to each country, region, and village. Today these styles are often be seen on proud display in performances by traditional dance troupes.

Where do styles come from?

Often there are interesting stories behind traditional styles. For example, in Bolivia and some neighboring countries the bowler hat is a prominent part of dress for women. It was introduced there in the nineteenth century, when a British manufacturer of the distinctive hat sent a shipment to Bolivia, intending to sell them to British Railway workers. But when the hats arrived they found they were too small for men, so they sold them to women, who continue to wear them to this day.