Among the Yoruba people twins are regarded as something special. They are honoured in a separate cult and are considered to bring good fortune and blessing to their family. Another peculiarity: the Yoruba believe that twins only have one soul between them. So if one twin were to die, then the surviving twin would only have half a soul. Therefore a ‘vicarious figure’ of wood must be carved for him (or her). This guarantees that the soul is complete again. These small sculptures are called ‘ibeji’ and are treated as if they were living twins. They are washed, fed, embraced, sung to, they receive sacrificial offerings and are placed on special domestic altars and so on. Over time many different styles of these small sculptures have developed in the Yoruba territory (South West Nigeria).
The present ‘ibeji pair’ come from the town or area of Abeokuta, in the south west of the Yoruba territory. They display the typical Abeokuta style with their tall, round, crested coiffure. Both figures also bear typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead and cheeks. Both objects stand on a rounded, rectangular base plate. The ‘man’ wears a loincloth and has a crack down the front of his body, as well as some pieces broken off on the upper edge of his hair. Otherwise both figures have good usage patina and no damage. Height: each 23.5 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Belgian collection.

Lit.:
'Ibeji. The Cult of Yoruba Twins' by George Chemeche, ill. 243, 245, 246, 247, 248, 252.