Worry Dolls.
By WhisperingSilence (lydia)
Worry Dolls or ''Trouble dolls'' are dolls usually made of wood or of a similar material such as wicker or palm with small bits of fabric dressing the wood or material. They orginated in Guatemala. There are a few legends behind the origin of these dolls. They all have a Mayan origin. But the legends around the dolls vary.
The dolls are little but tend to vary in size usually from 1-2 inches in size, they come in boxes or little fabric pouches.
The idea behind the dolls is that if you are worried you tell the dolls or doll depending on how many you own your worries before going to sleep and put them under your pillow, in the pouch or box and leave them beside your bed , while you sleep the doll or dolls will work away on your worries making everything seem better in the morning.
Some of the legends explain how the dolls are said to have magical powers other legends talk about a Mayan princess or was given the dolls as a gift from a Sun God. Other legends tell of a very poor family whos mother worked very hard to keep the family fed and clothed and then became sick and explains how the children decided to make these dolls and sell them at the market to get money to make things better at home.
Recently these worry dolls or ''Trouble dolls'' have been used in therapy sessions with young children who are having trouble opening up to their counsellor or therapist, the dolls work as a way for the child to communicate with thier counsellor or therapist by talking to the dolls about their worries or fears.