The Ewe, who live in Southern Togo and Ghana, are the Eastern neighbors of Asante People. They are probably best known for their textiles, and also for small wooden dolls called "Venovi" or "Venavi".Small Venaviare usedsimilar to the Yoruba Peopleof Nigeria use Ibeji Twin Figures, for Protection of the Surviving Child after the Death of a Twin. Some scholarsrecord that they mayalso used as Children's Dolls, as well as sometimes used as Fertility Dolls by Women to Ensure Fertility. Scarifications and added clothing and strings of beads reveal Family and Clan Religious and Social Affiliations.
Brian's Note: Ewe Venavi Maternity Figures are rarely seen. This is a very fine, old, and used example of a very unusual size. Beautiful Honey color with a smooth patina.
Images of women in Ritual Contexts and Mother with Child Figures represent much more than Symbols of Fertility. They communicate Female Ancestral Forces and Strength,theSpirituality of Motherhood, (supposed) sexual abstinence, and Ritual Purity in the Sacred State of Motherhood/ ProCreator.
It is evident that although the specific meaning of images of Maternity may vary from Ethnic Group to Group, and may be associated with Nature Deities, Ancestors, or Divination Practices, Maternity Figuresall ultimately refer Reverently to Human Fertility and the Future of the Group that is Grounded in that Fertility.
There are in certain Ethnic Groups, Maternity Images/ Figures that are specifically approached when a woman wants to Conceive. Such images are found (FOR EXAMPLE) on Yoruba Doors, or as Shrine Images in Ghana in the town of Anyinabrem, where the sculpture of a Mother Suckling a Baby was visible and, "when barren patients come to the shrine and see this Sacred Statue, they know the God can help them to get a child" (Warren 1974, 386).
