Fertility anthropomorphic female figure, Asante people, Ghana, delicately carved in wood, standing on a wooden base, she could be wearing a dress, arms are marked on her side, ringed neck opening up into a thin rectangle shaped head, balancing out half the size of the whole figure, which is delicately incised at the back, the facial features are flattened at the bottom of the face; in great condition, glossy by use.

‘Used by women as fertility charm, called Akua'ba.'
Ashanti. (See Rattray. Religion and Art in Ashanti, p. 281 fig. 194-195)
Akua'ba dolls are used by women who fear infertility. It is important for women to be successful in having children. Infertility, miscarriage or infant death are feared by women as they raise suspicions of witchcraft. A woman who has many children who survive is highly regarded and plays a role in girls' initiation rites. Among the Asante the line of descent passes through the female, so women are expected to bear female children to continue this line.
If a woman does not conceive, she consults a herbalist or priest who supplies the akua'ba doll. Following consultations with the priest the woman carries the doll on her back, tied by a cloth in the position in which a real child is carried, until she becomes pregnant.
Sometimes fathers buy or make these dolls for their daughters to play with, believing that this will influence child-bearing in adult life.”

Lit: M.D. McLeod, The Asante (London, The British Museum Press, 1981)
H.M. Cole and D.H. Ross, The arts of Ghana-1 (University of California - Los Angeles).

Source: The British Museum.

sold

Height: 26 cm
Weight: 140 g