Ghanian Barbie

DOTW Ghanian Barbie

This is the Ghanian Barbie. She is part of a series of dolls done

by Mattel called Dolls of the World (DOTW). She was

produced in 1996 and was preceded by Nigerian – 1990,

Jamaican--1991/1992 and Kenyan – 1994

(previously posted).

She wears a Kente over dress and and a

matching headdress.

She has gold earrings and a lovely gold pendant.

Under the Kente, she wears a simple yellow shift dress.
Sorry, I don't have the box but...
The back of the box says:
Hello, I'm a Ghanaian Barbie. I'd like to tell you all about

my wonderful homeland, Ghana! Situated on the coast in

Western Africa, Ghana was once called the Gold Coast, but

at our independence in 1957, it was renamed Ghana, after an
ancient empire. Hand-woven cloth, called Kente cloth, is

Ghana's most famous craft product. Its bright colors and
patterns are woven by Ashanti tribe men and are worn

for special ceremonial occasions. We are also proud of our

wood carving skills and we make many interesting masks

for religious and native ceremonies. Ghana is a wonderful

country to include in your travels. Our country is lovely

and filled with many things to see and do. I hope to see you

soon! Goodbye!

She uses one of the 1990 (released in 1991) Shani doll head

mold.  Of the three head molds of the Shani line, Asha, Shani

and Nichelle, Asha is used the most. Nichelle

is a little less used but surprisingly Shani, the doll the line

is named for, is very rarely used.

I have her paired here with Menelik for

African American History Month. They are on display

at a local library. We Must Share Our Joy With Others!

Close-up of them together.

I don't have her original shoes so she has borrowed some

gold sandal from MOTM Nikki.

Here they are instructing the children.

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!