Akwaba doll

“AKWA BA” means “welcome” in most ethnic groups of the group Akan. It is a way to welcome the stranger or the person who arrives at home and especially the newborn who arrives at the family. And it is in this welcome to the newborn that these statuettes called fertility dolls take their origin.

The “akwa ba” dolls represent the female ideal of Ashanti women. Round and flat face, with clear forehead, large eyebrows, small mouth and elongated neck. These figures are carried by pregnant women to ensure a good pregnancy and a good delivery. During this period if you look at beautiful things your child will be beautiful, ugly and deformed otherwise. It is the reason why they always carry with them, among their clothes, usually behind their backs, these dolls that embody their ideal of beauty.

If you want a child's head will look like a flat disc, with almond eyes and well arched eyebrows. From the cylindrical body, the arms come out forming a cross. Two small bumps indicate the breasts. If you want a girl, the head will be more rectangular and also flat, with round eyes, hair on the head and body without arms.

The deacralized dolls, once they have fulfilled their goal, become a toy for girls who use them playing as mothers.

Classic style doll. Face ligérously ovoid. Scarification on the cheeks. Dark brown patina.