Akuaba at The Réunion des Musées Nationaux, Paris

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The Akuaba are wooden ritual fertility dolls from Ghana and surrounding territories. The most well-known Akuaba belong to the Ashanti people, whose distinctive characteristic is large, disc-like heads. Other tribes in the region, including the Lobi people, have their own unique style of Akuaba. Traditionally, women carry these dolls on their backs either seeking to conceive a child or ensure the attractiveness of the child they are carrying. When not actively used, the Akuaba receive ritual washing and care. Today, mass-produced Akuaba are more commonly seen for sale as souvenirs than heirlooms in traditional use. However, traditional use persists in some areas. The form of the Akuaba has also gained widespread recognition as a general symbol of good luck. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, aiming to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe available for free access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort. If you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.