Dolls of the World Collection
Hallo! I’m Indian Barbie. Welcome to my beautiful country! If you come to India, you’ll see a rich mixture of the old and the new. One of the wonders of the world is the magnificent white marble Taj Mahal (see the illustration above). It was built more than 300 years ago by a man who loved his wife so much he wanted to build her a palace so beautiful that nobody could ever match it. It’s one of the most famous buildings in the world.
When you travel through my country, seeing India, you might think you’re in several different countries! People live far apart, and they speak different languages, dress differently, and eat different foods. We’re all people sharing beautiful traditions, though!
If you visit my region, you’ll see lots of many different flowers, like dahlias and zinnias as well as tulips and roses. Most people eat vegetarian dishes and use spices that add an exciting aroma and color to their food. A typical dish might be chapati, a little like a pancake, with curry, a kind of sauce for foods like vegetables or meat, and lassi, a cool drink made with sour milk. Mmmm! We’re definitely into our fragrant spices and savory tastes!
The music varies greatly through my country—some play sitars, flutes, drums, or tablas. Dancing is a major part of our traditions, too! At weddings and festivals, everyone enjoys dancing in bright, colorful clothes that swirl and sparkle.
For sleeping, people rest on thick cotton mattresses covered by soft linens. Our homes are decorated with bright, cheerful colors and often have carved wooden furniture. Others display flowers and bowls of fruit for beauty and fragrance. It’s very easy to relax at home in India!
When it’s warm (which is most of the time), I love to wear a sari made of silk or cotton. Fashion experts design saris in every color imaginable—from peacock blue to crimson red! Each region of the country has its own special style of clothing and jewelry. For example, I might wear gold bangles, anklets, or earrings to match my sari.
In the monsoons, India can be very cool, and we wear shawls and scarves. In hot, sunny weather, we stay cool in cotton or silk saris.
Traveling is exciting, too! In my region, camels are used to travel through the desert. In other areas, people might travel by elephant, bicycle, or auto rickshaw. It’s always a fun ride!
That’s a little glimpse of my fascinating country—India. Whether it’s our music, our art, our bright festivals, or our golden Taj Mahal—it’s mine!
Good-bye!