Second Shrine with Seated Female and Akua Ba Figures

The Fante people of coastal Ghana place female figures on family shrines where they commemorate revered ancestors and promote wealth and abundance called Esi Mansa. The woman sits on a typical stool preparing to breastfeed her child. Carved in lightweight, light-colored wood with plaited hair and black pigment and white kaolin. Among the Fante, these maternity figures (Esi Mansa) are placed in shrines and are thought to enhance the fertility of women, give support during birth and ensure welfare and sufficient nourishment. Present day Esi Mansa sculpture wear jewerly and display typical tribal scarification marks on both cheeks as well as neck rings which signify fertility and abundance. However, the Fante carver who manufactured this mother figure also made a small, original mistake: the thumb of the mother’s left hand is on the wrong side


Source: Blackmun-Visona, Monica, et. al. A History of Art in Africa. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson: Prentice Hall, 2008, pp. 211-12.


The Ashanti reside in the country of Ghana, the western region of the African continent. Art plays a crucial role in all aspects of Ashanti life, including hundreds of proverbs, textiles, various forms of music and performance as well as the sculptural arts. The Akua’ba doll plays a unique role in the community. The Akua’ba are commissioned by Asante healers for woman who are unable to conceive. After consultation and construction of the doll, the woman cares for the doll as she would her own child. The practice originates with Akua, a woman who was unable to have children (ba) and each doll represents the spirit of Akua. The dolls also represent the Akan ideal of beauty. They are always girls, and typically have an elongated forehead, long neck, with elongated eyebrows and nose, scarification, small closed mouth with full lips, exaggerated breasts and full hips. Mothers will also adorn the dolls with jewelry and clothing. Each doll has its own unique characteristics but follow general guidelines that represent the Ashanti female ideal. Upon the birth of a child, the doll is cared for by being placed in a community shrine.

Source: Blackmun-Visona, Monica, et. al. A History of Art in Africa. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson: Prentice Hall, 2008, pp. 211-12.