Olmec Dolls --Olmec Men!

Hey Gang!

Olmec Men!
After producing the Imani doll, Olmec produced a boyfriend
for her. (If you are unfamiliar with Imani, please see my
earlier post on her.) His name was Menelik. The name
Menelik was an Ethiopian emperor.
As with Imani, they produced him in three complexions.
Unfortunately, I only have two of them.

Here is the Evening Gear Menelik and

the Kwanzaa Menelik. One point of interest is that the fabric

lots for these dolls must have been limited. Many of the

same issue dolls have slightly different clothing fabrics.

Close-up on the face.

They have a "box" or "high top fade" haircut that was big 

at the time and made popular by the rap group Kid 'N Play.  

It is horrifying what used to pass for cool! The Box and the 

Jheri Curl has, for some reason, returned in 2024.

The comparison

Warning nude dolls

Here is the doll out of the clothing. The body isn't Ken

quality or the quality of many action figures like World Peace

Keepers. The legs are narrower than Ken's and

The feet are narrower,  too.

Menelik Ken

Arms can move forward, but not sideways

and hands are curved.

Menelik hand Ken hand

I have had problems with the arms breaking off from the body,

and I have replaced 2 or 3 doll bodies when I can locate them

for a reasonable price. The head knob is different from Ken's, so their

head can not be placed on a Ken body.

Some parts of the Olmec doll line were used again in the

beginning creations of the Janay and Jordan/Tariq line.

Both dolls were made in China, and that might be why.

That line was done by Integrity Toys. In the early years of

the line, the body from Jordan could make a suitable replacement

for the original Olmec body. As a matter of fact, many male

doll heads can fit on that type of body that can fit on a Mattel

Ken's body. Many action figures have the same neck opening.

Sadly, the body on the Integrity doll has changed, and

can no longer be used for this or other dolls.

OK, Thanks For Looking!