ere ibeji (twin figure)

unrecorded Yoruba artist, artist

ere ibeji (twin figure), late 1800s–1969

Where object was made: Nigeria

Material/technique: wood; beads; carving

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 25 x 7 x 7 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 9 13/16 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 in

Credit line: Gift from the Menninger Foundation

Accession number: 2007.2719

Not on display

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Label texts

Forms of Thought

According to Yoruba culture, twins are “children of thunder.” They are sacred, consecrated to Shango—the orisha deity who controls thunder. Like Shango, twins are believed to be spirited, unpredictable, and fearless. If a twin should die, his or her parents would consult a diviner to determine how the deceased twin might be placated so that he/she does not tempt the living twin to join him/her. A carved figure, or ibeji, may be created to venerate the deceased. The family maintains balance by caring for the carved figure alongside the surviving twin. Photographs and plastic toy dolls often perform the function of ibeji figures in contemporary times.

Forms of Thought

According to Yoruba culture, twins are “children of thunder.” They are sacred, consecrated to Shango-the orisha deity who controls thunder. Like Shango, twins are believed to be spirited, unpredictable, and fearless. If a twin should die, his or her parents would consult a diviner to determine how the deceased twin might be placated so that he/she does not tempt the living twin to join him/her. A carved figure, or ibeji, may be created to venerate the deceased. The family maintains balance by caring for the carved figure alongside the surviving twin. Photographs and plastic toy dolls often perform the function of ibeji figures in contemporary times.

Exhibition Label:
"Forms of Thought," Mar-2014, Kris Ercums
According to Yoruba culture, twins are “children of thunder.” They are sacred, consecrated to Shango-the orisha deity who controls thunder. Like Shango, twins are believed to be spirited, unpredictable, and fearless. If a twin should die, his or her parents would consult a diviner to determine how the deceased twin might be placated so that he/she does not tempt the living twin to join him/her. A carved figure, or ibeji, may be created to venerate the deceased. The family maintains balance by caring for the carved figure alongside the surviving twin. Photographs and plastic toy dolls often perform the function of ibeji figures in contemporary times.