This article says voodoo dolls are popular. Although the article appears to apply to Western tastes, it's written from Malaysia and with a Malaysian perspective: the writer indicates the dolls are harmless, and no one who saw that Gilligan's Island episode could write such a thing.
“The Westerners are open to the idea of having such dolls, finding them cool and unique,'' said Puah. “Like wrist bands, they give those who carry them an identity or an aura of mystery about them.''
The voodoo dolls are usually made of felt and are stitched together. Most have distinctive, big, red mouths and large eyes. Others look like Egyptian mummies while some have rope and wires strapped around them.
And in support of my quote from Dalrymple yesterday:
Voodoo dolls aren't a craze among the youngsters only. “Even adults in their 40s buy them, especially those that come in key chains, caps, bags and hand phone covers,'' said Puah, adding that most parents, too, had no qualms about buying voodoo dolls for their children.
