Worry Dolls

Tell them your worries. Then let the night take over.

These tiny handmade dolls come from Guatemala and are known as muñecas quitapenas — worry dolls.

According to Guatemalan tradition, you tell a doll what is worrying you before going to sleep, then place it under your pillow. By morning, the story says, the doll has taken care of the worry for you.

A Maya legend connects the dolls to Ixmucané, a princess who was given the ability to solve people’s problems by the sun god. The little dolls are said to carry on that gift.

Whether you believe the legend or simply like the idea, there is something rather lovely about handing over a worry before going to sleep.

Whisper it to the doll.
Put it under your pillow.
See how things look in the morning.

Details
Worry doll: approx. 3 cm
Small pouch: approx. 3 × 4 cm
Medium pouch: approx. 5 × 4 cm
Large pouch: approx. 6 × 5 cm
Handmade in Guatemala

Each doll is handmade and unique, so colours, details, shape and size will vary.

A tiny place to put a worry for the night.