Large Ibeji Male

Large Ibeji Male

Figure with narrow rounded shoulders; long arms close to body and long fingers that end at ankle; narrow body and thick squat legs; large feet carved from 1" high round base; eggplant shaped head with tall coiffure started with vertical line atop a 3-line horizontal band. All in blue pigment; side way "V"-shaped tears with earring holes protrude at base of face; 1 each set whiskers-like lines flank mouth on right and left of face; broad v shaped nose; eye parts are shallowly carved lines with nail heads for pupils; string of tiny red and blue glass beads around waist.

In the belief that twins share a common soul, Yoruba parents commission the carving of a pair of figures (Ibeji) when twins are born to them. Should one of the children die, his figure would become the abode for his portion of the common soul and would be ritually bathed, fed and clothed to appease his spirit and to protect the surviving twin. Carefully preserved in calabashes, such figures are removed once a year to be blessed by a priest at the Festival of Twins.

Accession Date: 08251998

Wood
Beads
Fiber

1998.6A

Africa
Nigeria
Yoruba People

10in x 3in