Who, what, or where am I? #37

Question

What is this man holding in his hand and where is it from and why would he want it.
He seems a bit old for still playing with action figures.

No immediate googling please, as somebody out there probably knows it.
If not: you can ask me yes/no-questions, just like we did many times before.

Thank you for another interesting puzzle. I learn so much about the culture of the various countries from your game. - Nilda-Ballardo, Apr 20, 2012

Only just a few funny, merely 'light' things. We ain't seen nothing yet. These are just some fragments from a WHOlE world!! - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 1

He is the security guard for the flea market and has found this little man running a stall without permission. The little guy tried to take his money and merchandise and run but this stern looking pulga police caught him red handed and will now undoubtedly turn him over to authorities... or to Annie's mom-in-law.

WMPL...seriously!!! - 0095ca4c, Apr 21, 2012

You definitely win the originality prize, but that's about it. Sorry ;-)\ - mcl020, Apr 22, 2012

I'll take that prize. - katydew, Apr 22, 2012

Oh I love it! Heyyy, there's an idea for a thread. . .someone posts a picture and everyone makes up their own story for it. . . in spanish and english. - t1funnyface, Apr 23, 2012

Answer 2

You buy one of these dolls and stick a needle in it. It rperesents your mother-in-law ( some have beards). Then you inherit her wealth. For the first time I feel confident I've cracked one of these.

Noooooooo, annierats :-))) This is not a voodoo doll. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

You can see he's just a little tiny bit sad to do it to his beloved mother-in-law.. - annierats, Apr 20, 2012

So you didn't crack the secret code ;-( - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Oh, I was certain I had got it this time! Is he from Cuba? - annierats, Apr 20, 2012

No, he is not from Cuba. And I have a question for you (if not too personal): do you love your mother-in-law ;-))))) - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

hahahahah annie! priceless. ;) - cheskasullivan, Apr 20, 2012

Mlc, I can't think what has given you the idea that I don't? Actually, I respect her, she is formidable. - annierats, Apr 20, 2012

And I was also so sure this had to be the answer. - katydew, Apr 20, 2012

Ooooooooo katy: sorrrrrrrrrrrrrry, but it is not ;-) - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 3

Is he some sort of a lucky charm? I can see he's holding money bills so I'm thinking his purpose is to bring wealth to whoever keeps him.

Do I need to answer? Yes, those money bills are to bring prosperity. But he happens to be multi-purpose. So: money alone is not yet enough. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Although of course, you solved part of the riddle. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

And the object also a name and an origin. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

I'll add "amulet" to the money bowl. :D - cheskasullivan, Apr 20, 2012

That might be something else hanging round his neck or resting in his pocket. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 4

This man if from Peru, isn't he?

No, he is not from Peru. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Is he sad? - -cae-, Apr 20, 2012

Í haven't the faintest idea. I hope you don't get the wrong idea ofme, but I just picked this man from the internet this afternoon. When I was looking for a picture of the object he's holding. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

The question is about the object he's holding :-) - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

I am not sure that this is completely clear to me. I need to know more about the context. =) - -cae-, Apr 20, 2012

Here some more context: this picture has indeed been taken in Peru, so the man might be Peruvian. But the object is NOT originally from Peru. - mcl020, Apr 21, 2012

Answer 5

The poster advertises live armadillos and the curation of injuries. The shop seems to be selling herbs and possible folk medicines. Is the doll a charm to cure illness?

You are right about the stall and the doll wearing a bag of medicine around his neck => and that indeed is a charm to cure or prevent illness. But the doll can do many more beneficial things. - - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 6

Is what he is holding a collector's item. I say this because he is a little too old to be playing with dolls. Therefore, it might be worth some money.

Do we have to guess who the doll is; like maybe the doll represents the leader of a Latin American country who is squandering all the people's money for himself?

Sorry, sometimes my imagination gets the best of me.

No, the financial worth of this thing is minor. And there are lots and lots and lots of them around. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

The doll doesn't represent any leader. What we want here is the name of the type of doll. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 7

Does it have some kind of religious significance? Like the dolls that they have on Dia de los Muertos? Is that kind of doll used for a certain South American holiday?

No, it is not holiday-related, but can be used year-round. Religious is a bit more difficult to answer ... For now I can only say: if you need any help in religious matters (??????restoring your faith???????forgiveness for committed sins?????) - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

you could maybe use this as well, though I think that it is more used for earthly desires. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 8

It looks like there is candy in the bags, and there is food at hIs stand. Is it a present for children from someone like the 'tooth fairy'?

No, it's not necessarily for children. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 9

He looks like a referee so I think this is the champion saint of winning bets and that he is buying it so he can win his bets on the sports team that he put his money on. Is he a committee organizer from Mexico?

No idea, and I cannot ask him. We are only interested in the doll. But I think the man belongs to the marketstall and has his moneybag hanging around his neck. And he sells these dolls. That's what I think. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 10

Is this some kind of spanish Santa Clause?

No, not at all. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 11

Is it from South Africa ...lol?

No, as we are not on a language site related to that area. - mcl020, Apr 20, 2012

Answer 12

Well, we are almost there.
What is a doll representing the Bolivian 'God of Plenty' called?

People leave their economic illusion and hopes in these dolls: by giving this doll miniature material goods, they wish to become real.

Answer 13

Is the object some sort of God of "plenty", of "everything", of "abundance", etc. Is this sad man saying, "A lot of good this doll is doing me, I'm still poor." Is the doll used in only one country?

Yes, this object is indeed known as "the (Bolivian) god of plenty". - mcl020, Apr 22, 2012

Dolls like this are known in more countries, but by different names. Here we want the Boliviian name of this doll. - mcl020, Apr 22, 2012

Answer 14

My previous answer was way out in left field and probably this answer is no better. I'm not sure if this is in Argentina? The man holding the doll looks like the store owner and like you said, he looks sad. Maybe he just opened up this new store and the doll represent prosperity to the man so that his store brings in financial wealth?

Wonderful little story, Nilda. But the doll is from Bolivia. The man is probably the stall owner, but I cannot tell from his expression if he's sad, angry, desinterested, very enthusiastic (as our dear katydrew thinks :-) ) .... - mcl020, Apr 22, 2012

Answer 15

OK, one more try. It's a little hard to see exactly what he's holding, but is it grain or seeds of some kind? Is it a lucky charm that's designed to ensure a good crop, along with wealth?