The Art and Making of Motanky

Both talisman and amulet, Ukrainian Motanka are made for the protection of home and family, to attract good fortune and health, and carry the wisdom of the ancestors.

The dolls are “faceless” or imbued with symbols of the Trypillian goddess (ancient earth-worshiping matriarchal culture of Ukrainian region) so as to avoid capturing the personal spirit of the maker/ keeper of the doll.  The blank face means that she will not take on the spirit of her maker.  Rather, the blank face (or pattern if she has one) acts as a portal and binding for ancestral wisdom to reside within.  

 The first wrappings of the face create a 5-pointed star on the back of the head which is not visible once the head-dressing is complete, but still serves as a representation of earth and elemental power.

A “cross” or “x” appears on the chest.  This is a symbol of Mati Zemlya that dates back to Trypillian culture (up to 40,000 years old).    

The dolls are bound, not sewn.  No needle is to pierce the body, so as to protect its energetic integrity and avoid negative spirits entering the doll.  The threads are wound with prayer, in the “east to west” direction, which infuses her with the solar movements across the sky – basically, the cycles and movements of nature.

Her body is made in the form of a solar-cross.  Like the trunk of a tree, she connects the realms (upper, middle, and lower realms) as well as the cosmic forces to the earth, and her arms outstretch like the horizon of Mati Zemlya (Mother Earth).

There are a wide range of Motanky -- such as the Vinycok which mimics a broom (Vinyk), and is used to sweep out unwanted energy, distress and difficulties.

All Motanky (<plural) are made in one sitting, rather than over several days, so as to maintain the same mood and intention within the making of the doll.

Some dolls contain grains, herbs, seeds or roots which are intended to enhance the healing and protective power of the doll.

The following are examples of the various Motanky made in 2021 so far.  Each Motanka was made either by request for the recipient to empower specific prayers, or was made as part of a series of ceremonies I am doing over the year from Aug 2021-August 2022.  (To learn more about these ceremonies, please see https://listenthelandspeaks.blogspot.com/2021/09/ceremonies-of-reparation-background-i.html ).

The Motanka depicted here, and below, are “temporary” dolls, those that are intended to either be burned, buried, or dismantled.  Rather than using threads to create a pattern on her face, temporary Motanky are “less fancy” so as to avoid wasting precious fabric/ thread.  She wears bells on her arms – a sound that brings both protection and cleansing.

These Motanky have very specific purposes -- two are "seasonal" dolls made at the fall equinox to hold or keep-safe the seeds from the season.  These Krupianchky protect abundance, wealth, fertility and well-being for the family, household and land.  They are dismantled in the spring, the seeds are sewn in the gardens or fields, and the cloth is either burned or washed and re-used.  The third Motanka, called a Travnitsa (seen in picture holding 2 satchels) is filled with herbs, and her bountiful bosom is also filled with herbs.  These herbs are for protection, vitality and healing.  She is burned when her job is complete.   

Fancy Motanky have varying patterns on their faces and additional elements such as hands, more detailed ornamentation and clothing, and occasionally other elements (such as a bell, seen below).  Please keep in mind that these Motanky are made in response to requests for specific protection, healing, and empowerment -- each uniquely crafted through a process of prayer and spirit-journeys, and thus are embodiments of these prayers.

As is traditional, the Motanky are offered by donation/ gift-exchange, to honour that they are for healing purposes. When an individual requests a Motanka, we set a time to speak in-person or by phone so that I may fully understand the intention of the prayers.  Paying attention to the moon and season, I will undertake 1 to 3 prayer journeys, recording my experience, and then set out to craft the Motanka.  When complete, I create a small, hand-written booklet that accompanies her, recording the insights, prayers and any significant information for the recipient.  If ritual or ceremony is to accompany the doll, either in welcoming her to the home, or in releasing her (if she is temporary), these details are also given in the booklet.

I have also found that as I make the Motanky, there will at times, be "challenges" in the process.  Perhaps a string breaks or tangles as I bind it with prayer, or perhaps a limb or some part of the body is "weak" despite being crafted "properly."  Whatever shows up during the ceremony of crafting, I pay attention and take-note, as these may reflect illness, injury, blockage, or areas that require more attention or care.  Generally, I apply extra prayer as I strengthen, fix or attend to the challenge.  I also make certain to convey the information and suggestions for care to the recipient as well.

For more examples of Motanky from previous years, please see the accompanying entry: 

Motanky of the Past

To join me in a series of seasonal rites, which include Motanka-making during our fall ceremony:

Patreon Nikki Manzie