A Very rare and esoteric image of the mysterious Asamanukpai.Such idols are very uncommon and are a visual reference to a story told throughout various regions of west Africa. The Asamanukpai are mystical dwarves or fairies that inhabit the Bush and can cause harm or even paralyze a hapless victim if not made offerings of rum or other goods. The Bush spirits are said to have backward feet and are colored, red, black and white, and although they look like people, they are small like a monkey.If you are able to gain favor with the Asamanukpai , you may be given an elixir of plant juice that will enable you to "see, hear and know all future events" and you will also be able to converse and sing to the Asamanukpai and possibly learn their secrets of herbology and medicines. This is a rare find, I have seen only one or two other images from the local tribes in the last 30 years.The figure is carved wood with a heavy kaolin clay mineral pigment and accented with a black organic pigment and a red textile loincloth. The figure measures 14.5 inches tall and is shown with its magic calabash and embellished with a small strings of beads.Fanti peoples, Ghana, West Africa.

fair, well weathered, loss to one foot