ere ibeji (twin figure), unrecorded Yoruba artist

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unrecorded Yoruba artist, ere ibeji (twin figure)
unrecorded Yoruba artist, ere ibeji (twin figure)
unrecorded Yoruba artist
ere ibeji (twin figure)
late 1800s–1969
ere ibeji (twin figure), late 1800s–1969
Where object was made: Nigeria
Material/technique: beads; carving; metal; pigment; wood
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 25 x 11 x 8.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 9 13/16 x 4 5/16 x 3 3/8 in
Credit line: Gift from the Menninger Foundation
Accession number: 2007.2720
Not on display
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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.