ibeji figure (figure (ritual & belief: cult of the dead))

Carved wooden Ibeji figure in the form of a standing adult male with bead ornaments and arms held neutrally by its sides.

Surveys have shown that Yoruba have a very high rate of twin births. In Oyo and some other areas their protector was said to be the violent god of thunder Shango. Twins were considered a blessing from heaven but were honoured for fear of incurring the displeasure of Orisha Shango. Twins also have a supernatural bond between themselves, sometimes said to be because they share a soul. If one of the pair should die a diviner would instruct the mother to have a small figure made to take the place of the deceased twin, which would then be placed on a household shrine. The mother would feed, wash and cloth the figure, as she would a living child, in order for it not to feel slighted and trouble its living sibling with nightmares or even bring about its death.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
1.7.65/1
Date
late 19th or early 20th century
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 315 mm x 85 mm x 115 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
wood; glass; pigment
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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