twin figures (2) ibeji; carved wood representations of deceased twins, one male, one female, rectangular base, hands resting against thighs, detailed hair style with purple chalk coloring. a-Female, b-Male.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Igana, Oyo State, Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
Africa; Nigeria; Yoruba; Iganna, by Baba Alawode
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Maker or artist:
Baba Alawode [Yoruba]
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
unknown
Materials:
Chalk and Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works) and Ere ibeji
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Context of use:
Carved following the death of a twin. Twins are believed to be spiritual beings with supernatural powers and are able to bestow blessings. The ibeji image is clothed and fed as if it was alive. In this way the ibeji figure will generate good rather than bad fortune.