2
Artist_Maker%3D%225230%22
Sculpture
Twin Figure (Ere Ibeji)
Yoruba artist, (active )
Yoruba artist
Nigeria
9 3/8 x 2 5/8 x 2 3/4 in. (23.8 x 6.7 x 7 cm)
.
.
.
Wood
Wood
Yoruba; made in Nigeria
0
0
1900-2000, African art, religious & ritual objects, sculpture, Yoruba
Sculpture
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]
1965.9.1
item
Memorial Art Gallery
3/10/2001
65.9.1_.2DI1
digital image
2 detail
2 x 2
12/1/2001
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.1-.2_A1.jpg
65.9.1-.2SL1
slide
full with 65.9.2
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
65.9.1DI2
digital image
2 detail
2 x 2
12/1/2001
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.1_A1.jpg
65.9.1DI#3
digital image
Front
1/22/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.1_A5.jpg
negative
frontal with 65.9.2
8 x 10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
frontal with 65.9.2
8 x 10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
negative
frontal with 65.9.2 side
4 x 5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
frontal with 65.9.2 side
8 x 10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
65.9.1DI#4
digital image
back
1/22/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.1_A6.jpg
65.9.1_.2DI#5
.1&.2
digital image
1/22/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.1-.2_A4.jpg
Sculpture
Twin Figure (Ere Ibeji)
Yoruba artist, (active )
Yoruba artist
Nigeria
Primary
9 1/4 x 2 5/8 x 2 5/8 in. (23.5 x 6.7 x 6.7 cm)
.
.
.
Wood
Wood
Yoruba; made in Nigeria
0
0
1900-2000, African art, religious & ritual objects, sculpture, Yoruba
Sculpture
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]
1965.9.2
item
Memorial Art Gallery
3/10/2001
65.9.1-.2DI1
slide
2 detail
2 x 2
12/1/2001
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
65.9.2SL1
slide
full w 65.9.1
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
65.9.1-.2DI1
digital image
2 detail
2 x 2
12/1/2001
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.1-.2_A1.jpg
65.9.2DI2
digital image
2 detail
2 x 2
12/1/2001
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.2_A1.jpg
negative
frontal with 65.9.1
8 x 10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
frontal with 65.9.1
8 x 10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
negative
side with 65.9.1 frontal
4 x 5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
side with 65.9.1 frontal
8 x 10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
65.9.2DI#3
digital image
Front
1/22/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.2_A7.jpg
65.9.2DI#4
digital image
back
1/22/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.2_A8.jpg
65.9.1&.2DI#5
.1&.2
digital image
1/22/2008
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/65.9.1-.2_A4.jpg