Fulla- A Lifestyle Away from Barbie

The Barbie doll has won millions of little girls’ hearts all over the globe although being criticized by feminists and experts for the past 50 years. But the Fulla Doll has fascinated a lot of girls not only in the West but also in the Middle East until recently.

Why Fulla Was Created
And while everyone kept on adoring Barbie and at the same time some criticizing it, Saudi Arabia characterized a symbol that will be a dangerous decadence to what topples the ideals of what an Islam girl should be. Fulla was created and her lifestyle is very different with that of the Barbie making it more acceptable as it debut in the Middle East.

As it made its debut in the last 2003, though the concept evolved in the year 1990’s, Fulla that was created by the New Boy Design creators has established its right to rule the Arab market. In turn, the shelves that used to be where Barbie stands is replaced with Fulla dolls.

What Fulla Is Like
Instead of the dresses and high heels and the make up, Fulla doll is dressed conservatively and never shows off her body. It shows the traditional dress of Muslim woman- the hijab and the abaya which covers most part of her body.

Aside from that, Fulla’s lifestyle is so much different from Barbie. It is though at some point like shopping and socializing with friends that they become similar, Fulla shows more of her culture and values to kids. This shrewd marketing lured the parents to buy their kids a toy “best friend” that not only will they enjoy but most importantly show them core values which they will follow.

The Fulla doll has a tiny carpet for prayer and a mini Koran which she reads every night before she goes to sleep. She respects her father and mother and to show that gesture, she doesn’t have and will never have any romantic prospect not until she marries.

What Fulla Is and Is Not
Unlike the Barbie who has Ken as her boyfriend, the Fulla is never allowed to engage in any relationship with a man prior to marriage as practiced by Muslims. Barbie is very liberated and Fulla is a conservative and modest doll who has so much respect for herself.

All the more different to Barbie is the reason that Fulla has two respectable careers. It is that of a doctor and a teacher- both of which Arab parents believe to be the best careers for Muslim women. Fulla in itself is a woman that has a full character, educated and with an ambition in life.

She is not a plain toy that shows off her fashionable clothes and a sweet smile but she is more than that. She encourages little kids to aim more in life and never shelf themselves at home. Although she has a modern outlook in life, she still preserves her culture and values. She is an Islamic icon for little girls that display a lifestyle far different from Barbie, someone who is what Arab parents want for their children to play with.