Innu tea doll facts for kids

A tea doll is a special kind of traditional doll from the Innu people. It was not just a toy for children but also had a secret compartment! These dolls were cleverly designed to carry tea for hunters on long journeys. The Innu name for these dolls is Innikueu.

What is an Innu Tea Doll?

An Innu tea doll, or Innikueu, is a unique doll created by the Innu people. The Innu are an Indigenous group who live in parts of what is now eastern Canada. These dolls were made with a very clever purpose. They served as both a fun toy for children and a hidden supply of tea.

More Than Just a Toy

Imagine a doll that could help you survive in the wilderness! That's exactly what the tea doll did. It was stuffed with tea leaves. This tea could be taken out and used by hunters when they needed it most. This made the doll much more than just a plaything. It was a useful tool for survival.

Who Used Tea Dolls?

Tea dolls were carried by the children of hunters. This was a smart way to save weight during long hunting trips. Hunters often had to carry many supplies. By having their children carry the tea inside a doll, it made the hunters' load lighter. This was especially important when traveling long distances in the wilderness.

How Were They Used?

When a hunter needed tea, the tea leaves were carefully removed from the doll. After the tea was used, the doll wasn't thrown away. Instead, it was re-stuffed with natural materials found nearby. Things like grass or leaves were used to fill the doll again. This meant the doll could continue to be a toy for the child, even after its tea was gone. It also showed how resourceful the Innu people were.