Akua's Child

The Ideal Child is portrayed in the carvings of the Asante of Western Africa, shown with an enlarged forehead and head and a thin body and neck. The carving is commisioned by a pregnant woman in the hopes of having a healthy baby. Because Asante society is matrilineal, the carving is nearly always of a female, indicating the preference for a girl.

The carvings, which are called Akua's Child (Akua'Ba) originate from the story of a woman called Akua, who was having trouble conceiving, and commisioned to have the carving made during her pregrancy after being instructed to do so by a priest. She was told to rock it to sleep, give it gifts such as necklaces, and carry it with her. All the villagers mocked her, but she gave birth to a healthy baby girl, and from then on women have had carvings of Akua'Ba made.

Left: Akua'ba by Osei Bonsu, Kumasi, ca. 1935. Right: Akua'ba, the Asante