The Akuaba Doll is a special Doll cherished very much among the Ghanaian communities especially the Asantes. The Akuaba Doll earned the name from an Asante's woman called Akua who was barren and desperately needed a child. Due to her barrenness, she was branded as a witch by her neighbours accusing her of 'eating' (killing) all the children in her womb. Out of desperation, she consulted a local diviner for a child. The diviner after his consultations with the ancestors through some rituals asked Akua to commission a carver to carve a Doll in the likeness of the child she dreams of having. She described vividly all the features she admires and desires to see in her would-be-child which reflected the Asante concept of beauty. Some rituals were performed on the Doll and given to Akua. The story continues that Akua cared, carried and treated the wooden Doll as if it were human. Soon, she became pregnant and bore a daughter exactly as the doll. Henceforth, all barren women were asked to go for a similar 'Akua' (The name of the barren woman) 'ba' (Child) doll. This explains why the Doll was has being called Akuaba Doll till date.
08-28-2019, 10:20 PM
The Breathtaking History and Symbolic Uses of The Akuaba Doll of The Asantes
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