Bee - In England they are usually called Jig Dolls. Some information HERE.
I believe that there were different methods of making the joints in the arms or legs which allowed different movements, so, for instance, some dolls arms might spin at the shoulder, but others would just move up and down.

Back to the original question, Pat Smith is an excellent spoons player and can be contacted via the Llantrisant Folk Club.

As for playing bones being African. I suspect that every culture which eats animals has at some time used them to make musical percussive instruments, so it probably dates back to prehistoric times.

Quack!
GtD.