African Arts Gallery

These people consider women to be the final arbiter of all decisions. Fertility and children are the most common themes mentioned in the wooden sculptures Ashanti. This ethnic group has built a relatively democratic society based on the moral value of the individual.
The Ashanti founded a monarchy as early as the 17th century. The identities of the various ethnic groups Akan were influenced by both Islam and Christianity.

Their dolls Akuaba (plural Akua'mma) are easily identifiable by their characteristic shape. They consist of a flat circular head, the majority of which is reserved for the forehead, the facies themselves occupying only the lower third of the head.
This last one is carried by a small cylindrical body whose arms develop at a right angle. The ...

Upper Volta, Burkina Faso since independence, is made up of descendants of the invaders, horsemen from Ghana in the 15th century, named Nakomse, and Tengabibisi , descendants of the natives. Political power is in the hands of the Nakomsé, who assert their power through the statues, while priests and religious leaders come from the Tengabisi, who use masks during their ceremonies. Animists, the Mossi venerate a creative god named Wendé . Each individual would be endowed with a soul, sigha, linked to a totem icne.
This schematic anthropomorphic figure, whose head appearance varies by region, represents a spirit with which a relationship is established. The tubular bust is endowed with sagging breasts, an attribute of fertility and evocation of motherhood. The angular, stylized ...

Belgian African art collection.
At the top of this conical basket headdress accompanying the initiation rituals, set on a thick raphia canvas, appears an image, in the eyes of the Namji of Cameroon, of fertility and fertility: a stylized female effigy whose limbs in rectangular volume have digitized hands and feet with different shells. The doll, whose bust is dressed in leather, is awe-down with bracelets and necklaces of glass beads. A proportionally reduced head, with pupils encrusted with white beads, has a suspension ring. Abraded-use skate. It is only recently that the dolls of the Namji or Dowayo , an animist mountain people living in northern Cameroon, have only recently been known. These effigies represent the human body in stylized elementary forms. These African tribal ...

A schematic anthropomorphic fertility doll, whose head appearance varies by region, represents a spirit with which a relationship is established. The body is formed of a cylinder resting on a flared base on which the chest is cut. The angular, stylized head evokes the feminine crest hairstyle, the parallel incisions, the scarifications and the braids of the ethnic group. Beautiful patina abraded by the contact.Ex. collection of the painter 'a target''blank' href'http://wiki.ibb.town/Karl-Heinz-Engstfeld' Karl Heinz Engstfeld
The use of dolls, by young African women, is not done exclusively within the initiation context. When menstruation occurs, the girl is considered a potential mother. In many ethnic groups, the search for fertility is then done through rituals. Wooden figures ...

From the collection of the painter 'a target''blank' href'http://wiki.ibb.town/Karl-Heinz-Engstfeld' Karl Heinz Engstfeld and 'a target''-blank' href'https://evibb.de/home/wir-trauern-um-ruth-engstfeld-schremper/'Ruth Engstfeld-Schremper , a stained glass artist, this feminine effigy called Akuaba (plural Akua'mma) with a flat, oval face, has small arms that horzontally extend the breasts formed on the column bust. The geometric features, incised in the wood, offer eyes superimposed under the space of the forehead while high.
These stylized wooden effigies were worn by pregnant women, squeezed in their loincloths, to ensure the arrival of beautiful children. The overwhelming majority of these statues are female, with breasts.

The Ashanti are one of Ghana's ...

Ex French African art collection.

This people consider women to be the final arbiter of all decisions. Fertility and children are the most common themes mentioned in Ashanti wood carvings. This ethnic group has built a relatively democratic society based on the moral value of the individual.
The Ashantis founded a monarchy as early as the 17th century. The identities of the various Akan ethnic groups were influenced by both Islam and Christianity.

Their dolls are famous and easily recognizable by their characteristic shape. They consist of a flat circular head, the majority of which is reserved for the forehead, the facies themselves occupying only the lower third of the head.
This last one is carried by a small cylindrical body whose arms detach at a ...

Trapped in multiple necklaces of glass paste beads, these coupled anthropomorphic figures whose shaggy heads emerge, as haggard, from this colorful swaddling, have small limbs composed of loops in beige beads. Amulet cauris reinforce the fertility vow. An object of modest size, easily transportable, its supposedly active role does not abandon its aesthetic character.
Ethnie of northern Cameroon composed of animist mountaineers, the Dowayo , " Namji ", " Namchi ", use anthropomorphic figures, dolls, as part of fertility rituals. The women carried with them these dolls donated by their husbands in the hope of becoming mothers. The use of dolls by young African women is not done exclusively within the initiation context. When menstruation occurs, the girl is considered a potential ...

This anicenne effigy with arched limbs surrounded by cotton thread is sheathed in leather. The head, like the feet and hands, is formed in a simple metallic volute. On its abdomen, the magical virtues of a talisman in the form of a metal cabochon adorn a belt. Decorative elements, arranged in small successive metal balls, make up a dressing of the most beautiful effect. An ethnic group in northern Cameroon made up of animist mountaineers, the Dowayo , " Namji ", " Namchi ", use anthropomorphic figures, dolls, as part of fertility rituals. The women carried with them these dolls donated by their husbands in the hope of becoming mothers. The use of dolls by young African women is not done exclusively within the initiation context. When menstruation occurs, the girl is considered a ...

Headed with braids gathered in high conical bun, these statuettes represented perched on a circular base, have "abiku" ornaments of pearls and metal bells.
Desiccation cracks. Carved according to the indications of the Ifa transmitted to the diviner, the babalawo, the Ibedji statuettes played the role of substitute for the death of the child. The statues are then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of them; she anoints them with oil and feeds them regularly. If she disappears, the remaining twin takes over.
Considered as more than a physical representation of a loved one, linked to the cult of Shango, the ibedji statues are believed to influence the life and prosperity of the family, and the latter continues to address ...

The coronation of marriage in African art.
Great Fali engagement doll, the Fali living in North Cameroon, but also on the border of Nigeria and Chad.
Around a wooden structure, the doll is entirely trimmed with a multitude of multicolored pearl necklaces depicting the body and braided hair.
The arms are made of leather straps with the ends decorated with cauris.
This type of African fetish doll is carried like a child, in the back of the young woman. and is offered to her among others present by her fiancé who chooses the sex.
It is therefore a guarantee of marriage and the hope of starting a family. The young woman will take care of the doll until the birth of the first child, then separate from it
The size and weight of the doll reinforce the bride's ...