The name akuaba comes from the Akan legend of a woman named Akua who was barren, but like all Akan women, she desired most of all to bear children. She consulted a priest who instructed her to commission the carving of a small wooden child and to carry the surrogate child on her back as if it were real.

A prayer hand is a symbolic gesture often depicted as two hands pressed together in a posture of prayer or supplication.

Women are seen as caregivers, nurturers, homemakers, and helpers. Men’s gender roles revolve around characteristics such as dominance, assertiveness, and strength.

Africa’s gentle giant’, the giraffe symbolizes grace, peace, individuality, protection, communication, perception, and farsightedness. As qilins symbolize luck, prosperity, and success, so does giraffes represent good omens, longevity, and protection.