A Yoruba Pair of Twin Figures, "ere ibeji" Lot n° 32

Pair of twin figures, "ere ibeji". Yoruba, Nigeria, Oyo State, area from Shaki to Kishi (towns) ohne Sockel / without base Wood, cowrie shells, bronze, glass beads. H 25,5 - 26 cm. Provenance: Swiss private collection, according to the owner acquired in Lomé before 1992. Twins have always been the subject of puzzlement: idolized or demonized, in legends and myths, even in astrology, we find the pairs as an expression of the fascination they exude. This is also the case among the Yoruba in southwestern Nigeria, who can demonstrably claim the world's highest twin birth rate. Among the Yoruba, special supernatural powers are attributed to twins. On the one hand they bring luck, health and prosperity to the family and on the other hand they can ward off disaster, illness and death. For this reason, they enjoy special interest throughout their lives. For the Yoruba, twins possess a common indivisible soul. If one of the twins dies, the balance of this unity is disturbed and the surviving twin is consequently endangered. To avoid this, a wooden figure called ibeji is consecrated in a ceremonial ritual as a symbolic substitute dwelling place for the soul of the deceased. The well-being of the second twin then depends on the care and veneration of this ibeji. At the same time, another figure is also made to house the soul of the second twin. If both twins have died, the figurines will continue to be carefully guarded and kept as a memento until no one can remember the deceased. Further reading: Chemeche, George (2003). Ibeji. The Cult of Yoruba Twins. Milano: 5 Continents Editions. CHF 1 500 / 3 000 EUR 1 500 / 3 000