Asante Akua'ba Miniature Fertility Doll 7.75 Inch Ghana

Among the Akan people, childbearing is a significant responsibility for women, and the preference for girl babies is rooted in their matrilineal society. The tradition of the akuaba originated from the story of a childless woman named Akua, who consulted a shrine priest for guidance. Advised to have a small carved figure and treat it like a real child, Akua, initially ridiculed, eventually gave birth to a girl. Since then, barren Akan women have carved akuaba figures to keep by their side or offer in shrines after childbirth. As shrine pieces, akuaba may be painted with white clay for spiritual messages. When kept at home, akuaba figures are adorned with cloth, jewelry, and hairstyles, with some having scars to mislead spirits and prevent them from taking the child back to the spirit world, particularly for families who have experienced child loss.

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