MS_0002_03_027_AfricanArtifactsFlatface

Title

MS_0002_03_027_AfricanArtifactsFlatface

Subject

Slavery, Black Holocaust, Resistance, Reparations, Black Power. See all items with this value

Description

Figurines with flat face made from wood. If an Akan woman had difficulty conceiving a child, she would be encouraged to visit a local shrine accompained by a senior women in her family. The woman who was having difficulty with conception would be placed on an altar for a period of time, and later reclaimed along with medicines. The sculpture was then carried, fed, bathed, and otherwise cared for by its commissioner as if it were a living baby. Once the woman had conceived and had a successful delivery, she would return the figurine to the Shrine as a form of offering. If the child died, the woman would keep the Akua'ba as a memorial.

Date Submitted

May 5, 2008

Type

Artifact

Identifier

03

Rights

These items were identified and purchased by MEBA founder James N. Eaton Sr. They are part of a larger collection of items used during the Slavery period in America.

Publisher

Elona M. Jones

Audience

General Public, ages 12 and above.

Medium

Wood