The Yoruba people have a very high number of twin births, some of the highest in the world. Twins are thought to be protected by Sango, the deity of Thunder. Twins are therefore powerful spirits in li..
more »The Yoruba people have a very high number of twin births, some of the highest in the world. Twins are thought to be protected by Sango, the deity of Thunder. Twins are therefore powerful spirits in life, and are honored with memorial figures when they die. Ibeji figures allow those still living to connect with the deceased twins. Their mother provides ritual care and bathes, dresses, adorns, and feeds the figures. They are often crown with elaborate hairdo, and this figure is no exception with the elaborate high blue headdress it wears.
Sources: Ibeji Twin Figure. “Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1978.412.679”. Accessed August 20, 2021
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