Name: Barbie Dolls of the World Nigeria, Jamaica, Kenya, Ghanian, Moroccan, and Princess of South Africa
Made by and When: Mattel, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, and 2002
Material: Vinyl
Head Sculpts: Nigerian, Jamaican, and Moroccan Barbie use the 1980s-1990s Christie sculpt. Kenyan Barbie uses the Nichelle head sculpt. Ghanian Barbie uses the Shani head sculpt. Princess of South Africa uses the Mbili head sculpt.
Height: 11-1/2 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: The brunette or black hair is rooted; Nigerian (huge curly Afro with fabric headband), Jamaican (shoulder-length curly hair with fabric headband), Moroccan (long straight with an attached veil). Kenyan (yellow headband), Ghanian (African-print headwrap), and Princess of South Africa (gold and red headbands); these three wear short hairstyles. All dolls have light-to-dark-brown-painted eyes. Nigerian, Jamaican, Ghanian, and Moroccan have painted teeth; Kenyan, and Princess of South Africa have closed mouths.
Clothes: The dolls are dressed in traditional costumes worn by women of the countries they represent.
Accessories:
- Nigerian—Two armbands, shoes, earrings, ring, brush, doll stand.
- Jamaican—Shoes, hair pick, doll stand.
- Kenyan—Bracelets, necklace, headband, doll stand.
- Ghanian—Earrings, necklace, bracelets, sandals, labeled doll stand, hair pick.
- Moroccan—Jewelry, shoes, brush, doll stand, and reply card.
- Princess of South Africa—Three necklace rings; one-piece, long neck ring; two ankle bracelets, mace, doll stand, certificate of authenticity.
Other: From the Dolls of the World Collection, the back of each doll’s box provides pertinent information about each represented country. The Moroccan Barbie has the lightest complexion when compared to the others.
Gallery













_________
Your comments are valued. Donations aid the initiative to preserve Black-doll history.
If you subscribe to DeeBeeGee’s Virtual Black Doll Museum by email, click the post title in the email, which links to the website to view all text and associated media. Please “like” and share this installation with your social media contacts. If you’d like to subscribe, add your email address to the subscribe or sign-up field in the footer or right sidebar. Add your email address to the subscribe or sign-up field in the footer or right sidebar.
Search: Use the search field at the website to search for specific dolls and/or specific doll categories, e.g., “antique dolls”.