Akuaba Dolls

Ashanti peoples (Ghana). Akuaba Figure. Wood, beads, string.

As the viewer moves along through the exhibit, the next piece they will come across will be a an Akuaba Doll. Akuaba dolls, made by the Ashanti women of Ghana (West Africa) are traditional fertility dolls which a woman is to carry when hoping to conceive a child, or to help assure the child's physical attractiveness. The doll is carried in the same manner that a baby would be, namely wrapped in a skirt on the mother's back. Much like the Barbie does for Western culture, the Akuaba doll is created to mirror the Akan ideal of beauty, most notably in the large, broad forehead. As well, the rings around the neck symbolize rolls of fat, considered to signify health and beauty. (“Akuaba Figure”)
The displaying of these dolls will provide yet another juxtaposition, though instead of demonstrating difference of personal opinion it will highlight the discourse of cultures. However, it is also useful in showing some of the similarities, chiefly that these dolls are also fashioned to the physical mould of the perfect woman as well as installing the idea of what a proper woman should do: conceive a child.