YORUBA IBEJI TWIN PAIRS, NIGERIA

The Yoruba, with a high rate of multiple births, feel that twins are very special and powerful. If a twin dies, a figure dedicated to Ibeji, the deity of twins, is carved to be the earthly abode of the spirit of that twin. The figure is nurtured by the mother and/or the surviving twin . Different hair styles, scarification, figure shape and style of carving indicate the origin of a figure. Often dressed and fed, some still have their special robes.