Fante / Akan

The Fante (Fanti), along with the Asante, are two of the largest ethnic groups to make up the Akan, a generic term used to refer to a group of peoples who are related linguistically, using a dialect of Akan, the language of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo language family.  The Fante (Fanti)  live in the Central and Western coastal regions of Ghana and parts of Ivory Coast. Many of their cultural and political beliefs coincide with other Akan people.

Artistically, the Fante parallel that of the Asante. Each tribe creates a figure known as an “akua’ba,” a doll that often is carved without arms or legs. The doll is carried and cared for by women for fertility purposes and later placed on shrines or altars. Other forms of art that are found among the Fante are colonial statues, shrine figures and flags that are created by skilled individuals featuring mirrored images. 

Resource: discoverafricanart.com

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