Akua Ba Duafe

Forged by local Ghanaian artisans and smiths at our Kumasi workshop by hand. This is a one of a kind vintage, Ghanaian hand carved ebony wood comb with a rich brass overlay. 

Due to the handmade nature of this item, each piece is unique, one of the same & any variations are considered part of the beauty of the design. 

• An AKUA’ BA DOLL is a good luck charm, an attempt to lobby the fertility gods for a child. According to legend, a barren woman named Akua went to a traditional priest for help. He instructed her to commission a small wooden child and carry it on her back, treating it as if it were a living child. This subjected her to ridicule in the village, and the term “Akua’ ba” (“child of Akua”) was born. In time, however, Akua conceived, giving birth to a beautiful baby girl. Of a sudden, carrying an AKUA’ BA DOLL became common practice, a symbol of hope for barren women. So prevalent did they become, in fact, that even pregnant women took to carrying them—to ensure a healthy child. The disc-shaped head and the neck depicting rolls of fat are ideals of Ashanti beauty. They once molded the shape of their newborns’ heads in such a way.

Perfect to use as a center or wall piece.