Cornhusk dolls are one of the oldest forms of dolls known in the Americas. The Iroquois have a legend about the “faceless doll.” It seems that the first cornhusk doll was made to be the companion for a little Indian girl.
The story tells us that the Iroquois people have what they call the three sisters, the “sustainers of life”. These sisters are called corn, beans, and squash. The corn Spirit was so thrilled at being one of the sustainers of life that she asked the Creator what more she could do for her people. The Creator said that a beautiful doll could be formed from the husks. The Creator set to work to form the doll. When finished he gave the doll a beautiful face, and sent it to the children of the Iroquois people to play with, and to make them happy.