The Akua’ba (plural Akua’ma) is a famous type of sculpture made by the Asante cultures of the country of Ghana, in Western Coastal Africa. These figures are made in a very recognizable form, typically with a flattened round or oval head with a high forehead; heavy, curved eyebrows; almond-shaped, downcast eyes; a straight, pyramid-shaped nose; and a tiny mouth. They also have … [Read more...] about Akua’ba Figure: Researched, Conserved, and Restored by Leslie Dunaway
While African masks and large-scale sculptures are highly celebrated, the small figures produced by African cultures are much less well-known. These sculptures generally take human form, but they are made of diverse media, including carved wood, assemblages of resin, cloth, and found materials, and even soft sculptures of sewn, stuffed cloth. They range from relatively … [Read more...] about African Figures: Researched by Rebecca Warden
The importance of motherhood in Africa has encouraged the creation and use of fertility figures throughout many different cultures. The Akan-related cultures of what is today southern Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, such as the Asante and the Fante, have created the akua’ba figure (plural akua’ma) to help infertile women become pregnant. The creation of the akua’ba is based on the … [Read more...] about Akua’ma and Akua’ba-Influenced Art Researched by Sarah Teel and Nicole Manhart