Native Americans showed early European settlers how to make these traditional dolls. They're made of dried cornhusks, which were plentiful and cheap. You may notice that this one has no face! Legend says that one doll became very vain, and her face was taken away. Thus faces were not put on the dolls anymore. And as for the smiley face on this one? Probably drawn in by a little girl who was very happy to get a doll!