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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

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Infertility treatments in Ghana, Africa, using Akuaba African wooden dolls.

Akuaba are African wooden dolls from Ghana that are believed to help infertile women to have children.
Akuaba African Fertility Doll

Akuaba African Wooden Dolls for Infertility 

Many infertile women in Africa consider that, without children, their lives are without hope.
Infertility affects women from around the world and in many cases, the social stigmas of being a barren woman are almost too much to bear.

In Ghana and other parts of the world, a high priority is placed on women to have children. Infertility issues can cause distress since children are seen as a means of preserving family names and traditions.

Married women are expected to produce a child within their first year of marriage, and failure to do so can create feelings of guilt and shame, causing difficult situations in the home. When a woman is infertile, many factors, including poor health, hormonal changes and even the supernatural, can cause it.

Fertility beliefs are passed down from their ancestors in the African world. Akuaba fertility dolls are responsible for governing birth and protecting the mom-to-be from infertility and bad luck.

If women want a boy then the akuaba doll has a moon-shaped disc for a face, carved with a delicate nose, close-set almond-shaped eyes and arched eyebrows. The thin neck leads into a cylindrical body with two small breasts and horizontal arms without hands.

Women hoping for girls, the akuaba doll takes another form. The small head is flat, narrow and rectangular and in the lower part, the face has round eyes and arching brows. On the top of the head, strands of hair stick up, and the doll has a cylindrical body but no arms.

Marriage without children is considered as a failure. Uganda is one of the countries in the African infertility belt that stretches across central Africa from the Tanzania in the east to Gabon in the west. In this region, a phenomenon described as barrenness amid plenty refers to the fact that infertility is often most prevalent where fertility rates are also high.

Despite their importance, infertility prevention and care often remains neglected public health issues, or at least they rank low on the priority list, especially for low-income countries that are already under population pressure. Low fertility is becoming more common worldwide, particularly in aging populations and many urban settings where women are having their first babies at older ages.

African wooden dolls makes infertile women fertile legend has it
African wooden dolls makes infertile women fertile legend has it


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Did you know?
After one year of having unprotected sex, about 15 percent of couples within childbearing years are unable to get pregnant. WHO demographic studies from 2004 have shown that in Africa, more than 30% of women aged 25–49 suffer from secondary infertility, the failure to conceive after an initial first pregnancy.

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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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Ivy, founder and author of The African Gourmet

About the Author

Ivy is the founder and lead writer of The African Gourmet. For over 19 years, she has been dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the rich culinary heritage and food stories from across the African continent.

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Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

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African woman farmer

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Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.