The Three Sisters and the Corn Husk Doll

What is your face saying to the world?

Once upon a time, the Creator gave us three things: beans, corn, and squash. They are sometimes called “The Three Sisters.”

Corn (selu) was particularly important. The Cherokee women approached Creator for permission to make the children corn husk dolls. Creator liked this idea. At some point, one of the dolls became enamored with her own reflection to the point that she was ignoring the little girl and her friends. Time went by, and Creator eventually confronted the doll about her behavior, trying to make the doll understand that relationships were important.

The corn husk doll simply could not stop admiring her own reflection in the waters. She continued to ignore the little girl and her companions. Finally, Creator removed all her facial features, showing her that the gift of others was what was important. And that is why our corn husk dolls today are faceless.

My wife, Penelope, the better half of Gadugi Media, recently made this corn husk doll in the company of the Cherokee Community of Puget Sound.

It got me thinking. What do our faces say to others? Do they transmit pain? Joy? Compassion?

What is your face saying to others this week?

Bryan