It all started over 40 years ago when a doll Hanife Nine made was purchased by a 'tourist'. She had not made it to sell but for her daughter to take school for some classroom activity. She used whatever material was available, that meant some wooden sticks and pieces of fabric that was leftover. In the end , the doll naturally looked alike women around; wearing a salvar, the baggy trousers, and a head scarf that village women wear even today.
It did not happen overnight, but with the increasing number of foreign visitors who were delighted to see a unique doll, more and more women in Soganli began making dolls to sell. The competition has brought out a variety of styles and sizes. Hanife Nine cannot make dolls any more as she has almost lost her eyesight but her followers, almost all of them related to her, make dolls; some wearing skirts, some salvar, some carrying a pitcher and some weaving wool or holding a baby.
As each doll is made by hand the doll you will receive, should you decide to order one, will not be identical to those pictured here. It will be of the same size, dressed the same way - although the fabric and color may vary - engaged in the same activity.
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