This statue was carved in the style of an Asante Akua’ba doll. Akua’ba dolls are carried by females and treated as if they are living. The statue measures 25 inches tall and weighs 4 pounds. There is a repair to the left foot, part of the chair has broken and there is cracking and wear and tear throughout, including a large crack on the top of the head. Please inspect photos carefully.
Asante Akua’ba Nursing Doll 25″ – Ghana- African Art
Original price was: $175.00.$105.00Current price is: $105.00.
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Type of Object | Figure |
---|---|
Country of Origin | Ghana |
Ethnicity | Asante |
Material | Wood, Pigment |
Approximate Age | Unknown |
Height (Inches) | 25" |
Width (Inches) | 10.5" |
Depth (Inches) | 4.5" |
Weight (Pounds) | 4 lbs |
Overall Condition | Repair to foot. Broken chunk off chair. Cracking and wear and tear. |
Tribe Information
About the Asante People
“When they arrived on the coast of Ghana in 1471, Portuguese sailors were astonished by the highly structured kingdoms they encountered. This initial contact, along with the area’s reputation for being wealthy, encouraged Westerners to settle in the region and to trade bronze and European-manufactured objects for Ghanaian gold and slaves.”
“The first area, which lies along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, is a flat plain covered with shrubs occasionally interrupted by lagoons. It is divided into numerous kingdoms of which the most well known are the Fante and the Ewe. The second area includes the central part of the country. It is a forest area where the most renowned tribes is undoubtedly the Asante (also known as the Ashanti). The Asante tribe, as well as other people living in central and south Ghana, speak the Twi language and collectively form the Akan people. The third area, in northern Ghana, is covered by the savannah and is the habitat of Gur-speaking people whose traditions and religions are still poorly understood.”
Sources:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.
Additional Information
The Akua’ba is a fertility doll that is believed to induce pregnancy and ensure a safe delivery. The structure of the doll is similar to Ankh, an ancient Egyptian or Kamitic symbol of life. According to legend, a woman named Akua was unable to bare children, so she sought out help from a traditional priest. He instructed her to make a small wooden doll and treat it as if it were her own. Many villagers mocked her and the term “Akua’ba” (child of Akua) was formed. Once she became pregnant, carrying an akua’ba on ones back became customary practice. Women will adorn the doll in jewelry and clothing and even pretend to let the doll suckle and be put to bed. The akua’ba is ritually washed and cared for, always treated as a real child. If a woman gives birth to a daughter, the doll is often passed down to her.