Mojdeh Daneshpajouh — in collaboration with her friends — developed the idea of making aromatic dolls for blind kids to help them envision the dolls by their strong and pleasant odors.
The dolls, which are supported by the United Nations, are made to preserve and promote culture and values attributed to the Iranian-Islamic lifestyle.
The Nations' Dolls Museum was inaugurated in Tehran on the International Day of Peace, September 21, 2014.
Excerpts from an interview with Daneshpajouh, originally appeared in the Persian Daily ‘Iran’, is on the Iranica page of the English-language Iran Daily.
Below you can find the piece:
IRAN: How did you come up with the idea of making the dolls?
DANESHPAJOUH: Iran is a country with high plant diversity. More than 2500 plant species are found across the country.
Preservation of the ecosystem for ensuring a sustainable future has been important for Iranians since ancient times.
‘Bajis’ — chubby ladies with linked eyebrows, red cheeks and lips, and middle part black hair — contain herbal plants, which are indigenous to Iran. Each ‘Baji’ has a special odor that helps distinguish it from others.
The use of herbal plants in dolls dates back to ancient times in Iran.
IRAN: Why do you think Baji could be more attractive than Western dolls such as Barbie?
DANESHPAJOUH: First of all you need to answer these questions: “What are the dolls going to do? What are their roles in the lives of children? Do the dolls help retain our cultural identity?”
Dolls must be lovely so that kids can identify themselves with them, feel good and regain their energy when playing with them. I think, Bajis have all the characteristics of lovely dolls and will become unforgettable objects for kids.
IRAN: When did all things start?
DANESHPAJOUH: Everything started with an afternoon tea. I, along with my dear friends, Hengameh Hekmatian and Narges Teymourifar, were talking about dolls — topic that is usual when we hang out — when suddenly the idea of making aromatic dolls crossed our minds.
We wanted to produce special dolls so that all kids — particularly visually impaired ones — can develop the sense of smelling and touching by playing with them.
IRAN: Where does the name ‘Baji’ come from?
DANESHPAJOUH: The face of dolls is a reminiscent of ladies during the Qajar era in Iran. They have linked eyebrows, and sometimes a beauty spot on their cheek. They wear Persian types of jewelries, their eyes are small buttons or beads. Small bells are attached to their clothes to enhance the hearing of kids. All these made us to call them Baji, which is the Qajar term for calling ladies with similar appearances.
IRAN: What was the main purpose for using aromatic herbal plants?
DANESHPAJOUH: We wanted to enhance the sense of smelling and hearing in children — something that is often neglected in Iranian schools.
Iranian children used to distinguish the smell of different types of vegetables, as they were exposed to them in their daily life. They recognized the aroma of spices as well. Modern children, however, seem to have a poor sense of smell.
Children are entitled to the right to be in direct connection with Nature. Bajis have been made to help Iranian children to learn more about environment with the pleasant smells associated with them.
Bajis have been taken to Japan Deaf-Blind Association by Iranian Artist Pari Zanganeh — a visually impaired singer, who performs in women-only concerts.
IRAN: What plant species and materials are often used?
DANESHPAJOUH: Very delicate and soft fabrics are used to give kids a pleasant feeling when touching them.
Seven herbal medicines namely rosemary, cinnamon, pennyroyal, rose, clove, cumin and cardamom have been used in the dolls. Strong pleasant smells remain in the memory of kids to their adulthood.
IRAN: Do you have any plan for mass production?
DANESHPAJOUH: About 140 such dolls have so far been created and are available at Nations’ Dolls Museum on Pasdaran Street, Tehran. We want to increase production to make them available for visually impaired kids.
We also have a plan to prepare lullabies in Braille for each doll.
IRAN: Are they for girls only?
DANESHPAJOUH: No. Dolls are not gender-based objects. Both boys and girls can play with Bajis and feel good. Just like animations that are not made for a peculiar gender and both boys and girls can enjoy watching them.
IRAN: Have you created any other dolls?
DANESHPAJOUH: Yes. Bajis are our second attempt in producing dolls. We had earlier produced dolls getting inspiration from the most influential literary characters including those from Houshang Moradi Kermani’s stories. The dolls were well received by kids and their parents.
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Tehran, Oct 7, IRNA - Baji, meaning sister in Azeri language, is a new brand of Persian dolls that contain medicinal plants visually impaired. The dolls have recently been introduced at Nations’ Dolls Museum in Tehran.
