Lady Artisan: Akua'ba, an African fertility doll

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Akua'ba

The word means "Akua's child." Akua is a woman's name in Africa and the story goes that Akua couldn't conceive. When she went to the shaman for help, he told her to make a little wooden doll figure and to treat it just like a child (carry it on her back, dress it, etc.) and in doing this, she would become pregnant. At first everyone in her village laughed at her for treating a wooden doll like a real child. "Ba" meaning child, the joking called it Akua'ba. When Akua became pregnant and had a healthy child, other young women looking to get pregnant tried the same thing. You can still find these dolls in Africa today.

This is my version which isn't a practical version (i.e., this doll couldn't be carried on your back in a wrap like the real Akua'ba, which tend to be somewhat flat figures). She's finally finished!

She's finally finished. Full front view.

Full back view showing off the draping of the material down the back.

Here's a close up of the front of her costume showing the blouse and draping of the dress.

A closeup of the head and shoulders giving a better view of the face carving and the blouse and robe.

An excellent close up of the sun-like carving on the back of the head.

This shows the carvings on the top of the head which follow the curve down both sides of the head.

Full figure, unclothed. Back when it was still in progress I had wrapped some wires around the neck for necklaces. I decided not to use them.

Full figure with fabric draping. I'm just playing with possibilities at this time.