YORUBA, (ORO/OMU ARAN AREA), IGBOMINA, NIGERIA

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Yoruba peoples have one of the highest incidents of twin births in the world. As a result, twins are regarded as extraordinary beings protected by Shango, the deity of thunder. They are believed to be capable of bestowing immense wealth upon their families or misfortune to those who do not honor them. Powerful spirits in life, twins are honored with carved memorial figures when they die. These figures, known as ere ibeji (literally meaning ere: sacred image; ibi: born; eji: two), remain a point of access tot he spirit of the departed individual. The mother provides ritual care to the figures, bathing, dressing, adorning, and feeding them. Such daily handling is responsible for giving their surface its distinctive patina. Ere ibeji invariably represent their subjects with mature adult physiognomies and are often crowned with elaborate hairdos.

This fine pair on offer, coming from the renowned collection of Dr. Jeffery Hammer, is adorned with bead necklaces and metal bracelets and represents two female twins with large breasts, lobed coiffure, and facial features that have been smoothed by years of washing.

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