Ashante (Ashanti) Ghana

Originally these statues are said to have represented the Moon Goddess - NYAME.

According to legend (2) a woman named AKUA became pregnant and had a beautiful daughter by carrying this figure. 

Until recently many AKAN women carried the figure to induce fertility - it was carried like a child on the woman's back.

In the past 50 years the figures have been naturalized, earlier examples had rudimentary arms, a stylized neck and conical torso (3). The disc shaped head is characteristic. 

Our experience is that this figure is internationally appreciated for its striking design and is instantly identified with Africa.