Outrage over Bayogo Wishing Dolls claims

Several residents on the sleepy island of Rota recently had a rude awakening when Saipan Handicraft claimed ownership of what they argue is part of their cultural heritage: the Bayogo Wishing Dolls.

Virginia R. Taimanao said she was shocked to receive a letter from attorney F. Matthew Smith, claiming that his clients are creators of the “Bo Jo Bo” Wishing Doll. The letter stated that his clients have “a trademark interest” in the dolls.

Taimanao said that the crafting of the original “mini Bayogo Wishing Doll” was passed down from her father, who reportedly operated a local handicraft shop from the late 1960s until 1994.

She said she could remember helping his father make these dolls as a teenager 31 years ago. The craft was passed down to Merced R. Tainamao, who kept the family tradition until she died in the year 2004.

The doll was first introduced to consumers through the Duty Free in 1976, and they began selling to other shops in the CNMI. The legend was translated into Japanese around this period. Virginia Taimanao said they have receipts and documents dating back to this time; unfortunately due to typhoons they lost some older documents. She, however, said everyone on Rota know that the dolls originated with her family.

Virginia Taimanao alleged that Saipan Handicraft attorney F.M. Smith sent letters to several residents on the island, stating that they are prohibited to manufacture the dolls. The letters also allegedly told shop owners to take the dolls from the shelves and that the dolls are “not authentic.”

Virginia Taimanao vowed to continue with the family business and expressed hopes that the Bayogo Wishing Dolls remain a family tradition. When asked how she felt about the allegations that she copied the dolls, she replied, “It’s a lie! The individuals who claim to have originated the Bayogo Wishing Dolls are liars!”

According to her, the authentic Bayogo Wishing Dolls originated on Rota, made from Rota bayogo seed and even the name is Chamorro.

“The word bayogo is pronounced ‘Bo Jo Go.’ There is no ‘J’ in Chamorro—the letter ‘Y’ sounds like ‘J.’ These Filipinos calls their dolls, Bo Jo Bo, but these traditional wishing dolls, by any name, are part of our personal heritage and handed down by my family,” she said.

Virginia Taimanao said the people of Rota consider their traditional Bayogo Wishing Doll as much a part of their culture as weaving coconut leaves. “We never discouraged locals from making bayogo seed dolls.”

She said they knew some Saipan handicraft shops are making the dolls because they stopped buying Rota’s dolls years ago. She added that these makers still go to Rota to buy bayogo seeds.

Virginia Taimanao said seeds are scarce on other islands but they thrive on Rota.

“The thing is, these people profited for years making our mini Bayogo Wishing Dolls—and we never bothered them! Now they want everything for themselves! We are outraged! They have broken the laws of fair trade, but they will never steal our heritage! We will fight!” she said.

Virginia Taimanao vowed that they would continue to manufacture the dolls because these are their dolls, “and having an ‘interest in a trademark’ is not the same as possessing a trademark. Who are they trying to fool? They will not get away with this!” (PR)