The Akua'ba doll expresses the Ashanti ideal of beauty; a long neck and a round flat face with a high forehead and small mouth. The fertility doll is carried in a woman's skirt band to ensure fertility as well as to have a perfect and beautiful child! The word "Akua" means born of Wednesday and "Ba" means child. The doll also serves another function & that is for young girls to acquaint themselves with the role of motherhood. Often times, the back of the carving has patterns incised in the head which is believed to ward off evil spirits. Height: 13 1/2" x Width: 5 1/4"
