Genuine Carved Wood Asante Tribal Akua'ba Fertility Doll Ghana Africa Art 11.3”

Description

Genuine Carved Wood Ashanti / Asante Tribal Akua'ba Fertility Doll Ghana Africa Art 11.3”.
Excellent vintage condition considering age. See pictures for details as part of description.
Measures:
11.3” tall
4.86” wide
1.17” deep
This piece dates to the early 20th century. It is adorned with cowrie shells and glass trade seed beads. It is a primitive piece and the earrings are attached with wrought iron rings. The necklace is held down with a nail. It does have chips and nicks from years of use and age.
Among the Asante, childbearing is the most important responsibility of women. They are considered to have not fulfilled their purpose on earth unless they have bore children.
As the Asante are a matrilineal society, female offspring are preferred.
The tradition of how akua’ba came to be is based on the story of a childless woman named Akua who went to the “holy man” and was told to have a small figure carved and to treat it as she would her child by carrying it wrapped to her back. At first she was ridiculed, however, in time she delivered a real girl. Her friends exclaimed in amazement, “Akua, wo ba ni” – “Akua, this is your child”. The child was named Akua or “Wednesday born”.
Since that time barren women among the Asante who desire a child will have such a doll to keep by their side or after the child is born to place the Akua’ba in a shrine as offering and remembrance.
As shrine pieces an Akua’ba is often painted with white clay to carry messages to the spirits. If kept by women at home akuaba would be dressed with cloth, wear jewelry and have hairstyles carved along the edges of the round head or inscribed on the back of the head.
Some Akua’ba have scars on their faces, not for identification or aesthetics, but so that the spirits will not take them back.
Families who have lost a number of children will cut small marks on the cheeks or temples so that the spirits who love beautiful children will be mislead and not return them to the spirit world.
Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
Consignment listing by Leonard Goldschmidt.
Be healthy and happy!
Regards,
Dr. G’s Closet
Bringing Fine Antiques, Art and Collectibles to color your life at less than wholesale prices.