item details
Overview
This is a doll representing a hula (dancing) girl. It was collected in the 1960s, which was a period of expansion in international air travel due to changing technology and reduction in prices. Places like the Pacific Islands became popular destinations for tourist leisure and recreation. Culturally themed merchandise and souvenirs were developed locally or imported from overseas manufacturers to meet the demand of this new tourist market. Dolls such as this one were typical of the type collected by travellers as souvenirs or keepsakes.
Materials and construction
This very small female doll is made from wood. She is barefoot and has short black hair and is wearing an oversize green fibre hula skirt and an equally oversized necklace made from paper.
Significance
As well as being an example of merchandise made for tourists, this doll highlights the influence of tourism on the material representation of Pacific Islanders. The image of the dancing or hula girl is a recurring one in photography, film and art of the region. This doll was collected by Augusta Bohmer (b.1912 - d.2009) during her travels in the 1960s, when Augusta and her husband travelled extensively visiting Fiji - on business - and New Caledonia.
Acquisition
This doll was offered to Te Papa in 2008 by Eve Ryder in memory of Augusta Bohmer.
References
Bolabola, C."The impact of tourism on Fijian woodcarving" Rajotte, F.and Crocombe, R.(eds.) Pacific tourism, as islanders see it. (Suva: University of the South Pacific Institute of Pacific Studies in association with South Pacific Social Sciences Association, 1980)
Dierikx, M. Clipping the clouds : how air travel changed the world. (Connecticut: Praeger, 2008)
Gottdiener, M.Life in the air : surviving the new culture of air travel.(Maryland: Rowman Littlefield, 2001)
McLean, Gavin, 2012."Barques, banana boats and boeings. Transport and communications, 1860s to the present day," Mallon, S.,Mahina-Tuai, K. and Salesa, D. (eds.) Tangata o le Moana: New Zealand and the people of the Pacific.(Wellington, Te Papa Press, 2012).