Fertility doll "akua ba" ·  Ghana, Fante · ID: 3037407

Description

wood, dark brown patina, remains of kaolin, strings of glass beads, animal hair, typical armless cylindrical trunk with elongated board-shaped flattened head, incised scarification marks backside, min. dam., small missing parts, base;
such dolls are said to have forces to support human fertility. They received their magical power from a deity via the diviner’s blessing. Childless women used to carry them with them and treated them like real children. After fulfilling their “mission” they were either dedicated to the deity, placed on a shrine, or they were given to a child for playing.

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