H x W x D: 26.8 x 8.9 x 8.9 cm (10 9/16 x 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 in.)
Type:
Figure
Geography:
Nigeria
Date:
Mid-20th century
Label Text:
The incidence of twin births is extraordinarily high among the Yoruba peoples, but so is infant mortality. Ere ibeji are Yoruba memorials to twins who have died. In 1830, the British explorer Richard Lander encountered mothers carrying carved wooden figures, which he understood were little memorials.
Particularly among the Oyo region Yoruba, twins are believed to be the children of Shango, the god of thunder and lightning. More widely, they are thought to possess supernatural powers and share the same soul. A memorial figure serves as a receptacle for half of the shared soul. They are kept in the family's twin altar or in a gourd container with paraphernalia used in Shango worship.
Although typically created in response to the death of an infant or child, ere ibeji depict adults in the prime of life. Each figure is dressed and adorned according to the gender, social status and religious affiliation of the twin for which it stands. Scarification is depicted, as well as hairstyles.
The mother of a departed twin carries an ere ibeji tucked in her wrapper and treats it as a live infant in the belief that to deny twins is to court their wrath. The sculptures are bathed, rubbed with oil, clothed and adorned. The bodies of these figures have been rubbed with camwood powder, a pigment and a cosmetic and the tops of their heads rubbed with indigo, a sign of wealth. This pair also has carved hats and neck amulets.
Description:
Wood standing male figure on circular base, arms at sides, carved hat and triangular neck pendant. Body rubbed with camwood pigment, head with indigo dye.
Provenance:
Professor and Mrs. J. Newton Hill, New York, ca. 1964 - ca. 1987
Charlton and Sylvia Williams, Washington, D.C. ca. 1987 -1996
Charlton Williams, Washington, D.C., 1996-2002
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