Fertility doll "akua ba" ·  Ghana, Ashanti · ID: 3036540

Description

wood, rich shiny black patina, unusually carved with arms and legs, characteristic: neckrings and disc-shaped head with compressed facial plane, especially abundant decor with cord material and beads, loincloth with several strings of tiny read miniature glass beads and red fabric, slightly dam., spot-like abrasion of patina at the head, plate;
the legend goes that a childless woman, called “akua”, asked a sorcerer for help. He recommended her to order the carving of a wooden child. “Akua” followed his advice and always carried the doll around with her. It was called “akua ba” which means no more than “Akuas child”. Finally she gave birth to a beautiful daughter".

Littérature comparée

Bofinger, Brigitte & Wolfgang, Puppen aus Afrika, Stuttgart 2006, p. 36