For your bidding pleasure is a West African Ashanti Tribal Akua Ba Fertility Idol. Akua Ba are consecrated by priests and carried by women who hope to conceive a child. The name Akua Ba comes from the Akan legend of a woman, named Akua, who was barren. She consulted a priest, who instructed her to have a carving of a small wooden child and to carry the surrogate child on her back as if it were real. Akua cared for the figure as she would a living baby. She was laughed at and teased by fellow villagers, who began to call the wooden figure Akua Ba, or "Akua's child." Akua conceived a child and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Soon thereafter, other women began adopting the same practice to overcome barrenness. The figures become family heirlooms and are appreciated not only for their spiritual associations, but also because they are beautiful images that call to mind a loved one. This Akua Ba is believed to be from the early 19th century. This idol has been placed on a modern block of wood for display. Given the small size and thinness of the "Head", finding an idol of this age, in this good of condition, is rare. The idol measures (on the base) 8" x 3 1/4'x 1 3/4". The base is 2 1/8" x 1 1/2' x 1".