Ula - The Catholic Doll

According to some society Barbie promotes objectionable values. Because of this, in Saudi Arabia, Barbie is banned. A doll was created as an alternative to Barbie. She is called Fulla. Fulla reflects the Muslim values.

In the Philippines, an attempt was made to create a doll that would reflect our tradition and values. Some dolls would even have scapulars and rosaries. But these dolls seemed more like ornaments than toys. I couldn't imagine myself playing dress-up with them.

One-sixth sense unites with everyone observing this Lenten season with an attempt at a Catholic doll.

Pocahontas coverted to Christianity and so did my Pocahontas doll. I now call her Ula. Her face was reworked and her head swapped with a an articulated African-American Barbie.

Here she is waving a palaspas. Palaspas is the Filipino term for the (simple or intricately woven) palm leaves used during Palm Sunday. Some believe that once blessed, these leaves can ward off evil spirits. Dried palaspas are also used in alternative medicine.

She is armed with her own scapular of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a prayer booklet of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Holy Rosary, and the Holy Bible.

This is a Bible fit for barbie-sized dolls.

Click here for a size comparison with an actual Bible opened in a similar page.