TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:     
    Ibeji

    By the 19th century the cult of the Ere Ibeji was firmly established
    and continues to this day. In Yoruba practice, if one or both twins
    die, the parents commission ibeji (or ere ibeji), spirits of the
    deceased as fully developed adults in the prime featuring
    genitalia, pubic hair, wide hips, developed breasts, gender
    specific facial scarification and mature coiffures exude that an
    erotic sexuality, uncommon for infants.

    Once the figure is brought to the family dwelling, it is placed on a
    shrine dedicated to Elegba with the hope that the Orisha or soul,
    which was split in two parts when the twins were born, will now
    again reside in the figure that represents the dead twin.  The
    sculpture is expected to avert evil from the household, strengthen
    the manifestations of family love, stare down death, illuminate the
    pathway through the valley of immortality, and bring good fortune
    to all who treat it with respect and offer it tokens of affection.
    Conversely, bad fortune and curses may be engendered if the
    ibeji is ignored .

    In earlier times, new-born twins, or ibeji, as they are called, were
    believed to be evil, monstrous abnormalities and infanticide was a
    common practice. However, such beliefs and practices were later
    superseded and reversed, and by the middle of the 18th century
    twins came to be seen as a blessing; they were awarded the
    status of minor deities, called Orishas, and their arrival was
    viewed as an omen of good fortune for the family.

    The first born twin, whether a boy or a girl, is always called Taiwo,
    meaning ‘having the first taste of the world’, whereas the second
    is named Kehinde, meaning ‘arriving after the other’. Although
    being born first Taiwo is considered as the younger twin. His
    senior Kehinde is supposed to send out his partner to see what
    the outside world looks like. As soon as Taiwo has given a signal
    by crying, Kehinde will follow. Kehinde is supposed to be more
    careful, more intelligent and more reflective, while Taiwo is
    believed to be more curious and adventurous, but also more
    nonchalant (Olaleye-Oruene, 1983; Stoll & Stoll, 1980).

Ethnic Group:       
    Yoruba Society


Country of Origin:          
    Nigeria

Material:          
    Wood
    Metal

Dimensions:


Reference: