FILTER RESULTS
Twin Figure (Ere Ibeji)
9 3/8 x 2 5/8 x 2 3/4 in. (23.8 x 6.7 x 7 cm)Yoruba artist
Nigeria
Yoruba; made in Nigeria
Object Type:
Sculpture
Medium and Support:
Wood, pigment, beads, cowrie shells, fiber, sacrificial materials
Credit Line:
Marion Stratton Gould Fund
Accession Number:
1965.9.1
Location: Currently on view
The Yoruba have one of the highest rates of twinning in the world. Twins are endowed with powerful attributes, both auspicious and dangerous. Due to the high mortality rate of twins, when one or both dies, Yoruba mothers procure small wooden statues (ere ibeji) to house the spirits of the deceased. If there is a single ibeji, it is likely that one twin died and one survived. If there are two ibeji figures, then it is likely that both twins died. Wealthy women clothe their ere ibeji in beaded or shelled vests.
Surface accumulation and signs of wear are common as ibeji figures are cared for in the same manner as a living child and are handled, clothed, washed, fed and honored with dances and songs. Lyrics from a Yoruba song explain how the care of ere ibeji can control the potentially negative influence of twins’ spirits, “Abuse me and I shall follow you home. Praise me and I shall leave you alone.” Subsequent generations inherit the care of ere ibeji from their ancestors.
[Gallery label text, 2009]
Surface accumulation and signs of wear are common as ibeji figures are cared for in the same manner as a living child and are handled, clothed, washed, fed and honored with dances and songs. Lyrics from a Yoruba song explain how the care of ere ibeji can control the potentially negative influence of twins’ spirits, “Abuse me and I shall follow you home. Praise me and I shall leave you alone.” Subsequent generations inherit the care of ere ibeji from their ancestors.
[Gallery label text, 2009]
Provenance
Everett Rassiga (1922-2003), New York (dealer); purchased from him by the Gallery in 1965
Keywords
Click a term to view the records with the same keyword
Additional Images
Click an image to view a larger version
Exhibition List
This object was included in the following exhibitions:
- Traditional Art of Nigeria Memorial Art Gallery 12/11/1964 - 1/31/1965
- Circus Minimus Memorial Art Gallery 9/5/1969 - 11/30/1969
- Traditional Art of Black Africa Memorial Art Gallery 11/14/1969 - 12/28/1969
- Harris K. Prior Memorial Exhibition 4/2/1976 - 5/2/1976
Bibliography
This object has the following bibliographic references:
- Article Scope: Reproduction only. Susan Dodge Peters, ed. Memorial Art Gallery: An Introduction to the Collection. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery in association with Hudson Hills Press, 1988.
- Article Scope: Reproduction only. Memorial Art Gallery. Handbook Supplement : acquisitions, 1962-68. Rochester, New York: University of Rochester Press, 1968.
- Article Scope: Entry and reproduction. Traditional Art of Nigeria: December 11, 1964 to January 31, 1965. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery, 1964.
Portfolio List
Click a portfolio name to view all the objects in that portfolio
This object is a member of the following portfolios:
Web Links
See links to web pages and lesson plans
MAGexplore
MAGexplore provides in-depth information and close looking at over 200 objects in MAG's collection.