The first motanka doll was made more than 5 thousand years ago. Dolls could be seen in any peasant house. They performed different functions - they protected housing, children, sleep, and took care of the household. The children loved to play with them.
Motanka differs from an ordinary toy in that it lacks a face. According to ancient beliefs, the soul enters the doll through the face. And the soul can be good or evil.
The materials used for production are natural materials (hay, straw, wood, herbs, dry leaves, seeds, grains). The motanka was decorated with folk ornaments and embroidery.
The people believed that the motanka contained the spirit of their ancestors and that it could pass on experience from generation to generation. Ukrainians believed that this symbol brought them wealth and good luck.