Object Details
- Label Text
- The incidence of twin births is extraordinarily high among the Yoruba peoples, however, so is infant mortality. In 1830, the British explorer Richard Lander encountered mothers carrying carved wooden figures, which he understood were little memorials. It is now known that ere ibeji are Yoruba memorials to twins who have died.
- Twins are believed to be the children of Shango, the god of thunder and lightning. They are also thought to possess supernatural powers and share the same soul. A memorial figure serves as a receptacle for half of the shared soul.
- Although representing deceased infants or children, ere ibeji depict them as adults in the prime of life. Each figure is dressed and adorned according to the gender, social status and religious affiliation of the twin for whom it stands. This beautifully carved example, probably from the Shaki region, has distinct stomach scarification and an unusual peaked hairstyle.
- The mother of a departed twin carries an ere ibeji tucked in her wrapper and treats it as a live infant in the belief that to deny twins--Shango's children--is to court their wrath. Thus, to forestall grave misfortune, the sculptures are bathed, rubbed with oil, clothed and adorned. They are kept in the family's twin altar or in a gourd container with paraphernalia used in Shango worship.
- Description
- Standing female twin figure with arms at sides, stomach scarification and large head with bulging eyes and peaked, foreward pointing hairstyle.
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
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- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Yoruba artist
- Date
- Late 19th-early 20th century
- Credit Line
- Gift of Donald F. Miller
- Medium
- Wood
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 24.1 x 6.4 x 5.4 cm (9 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 1/8 in.)
- Type
- Figure
