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Nigerian Ibeji Twin Figure

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/9ac60340-0d92-0135-23f6-0050569601ca-8
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Descriptive Information

Title
Nigerian Ibeji Twin Figure
Description
A carved wooden male standing figure with short round base. The head is pointed with coiffure, scarification and facial features carved in low relief. The body is crudely articulated, probably because it was originally covered with shells or beads. One string of beads encircles the neck, one encircles the waist, and one hangs from each arm. There is evidence of encrustation, especially around the feet.
Interpretation
  • When a Yoruban twin dies, a surrogate figure (ibeji) is carved to take its place. The parents bathe, anoint, dress and feed the figure regularly to ensure that the spirit of the deceased twin will not bring harm to its surviving twin or any unborn children of the family. Ibeji figures have large heads compared with their bodies because Yorubans place great importance on the head and associate it with a person's destiny. Indigo dye, associated with one's future, is usually rubbed into the carved hair of ibeji figures. Yorubans beilieve that each living person has a spirit double in the sky
  • twins result when the spirit double is born with a child. Unable to determine which twin is mortal and which is spirit, Yorubans treat each twin as sacred. Yorubans also believe twins contain powerful spirits that can be used for good or for magical purposes. Yorubans are the largest ethnic group in Africa. They have one of the highest rates of twin births in the world. Unfortunately, Yoruban twins also suffer an unusually high mortality rate.
Lesson Plans / Themes
  • African Folk Tales  
  • African Novel Study  
  • Communities and Geography  
Learning Standards
  • 16 History  
  • 18 Social Systems  
  • 25-27 Fine Arts  
Author or Creator
Yoruba (African people) Social life and customs  
Source
Donated to the Lakeview Museum by Richard K. Meyer.  
Subject / Keywords
  • Nigeria  
  • Africa  
  • Ritual objects  
  • Sculptures  
  • Figures  
Spatial Coverage
Nigeria  
Temporal Coverage
1900/1950
Collection Publisher
Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences
Rights
Copyright Not Evaluated
Resource Identifier
LVM1974.011.008
Date Created
7-8-02
Collection Title
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
Collection
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
TitleNigerian Ibeji Twin Figure
DescriptionA carved wooden male standing figure with short round base. The head is pointed with coiffure, scarification and facial features carved in low relief. The body is crudely articulated, probably because it was originally covered with shells or beads. One string of beads encircles the neck, one encircles the waist, and one hangs from each arm. There is evidence of encrustation, especially around the feet.
Interpretation
  • When a Yoruban twin dies, a surrogate figure (ibeji) is carved to take its place. The parents bathe, anoint, dress and feed the figure regularly to ensure that the spirit of the deceased twin will not bring harm to its surviving twin or any unborn children of the family. Ibeji figures have large heads compared with their bodies because Yorubans place great importance on the head and associate it with a person's destiny. Indigo dye, associated with one's future, is usually rubbed into the carved hair of ibeji figures. Yorubans beilieve that each living person has a spirit double in the sky
  • twins result when the spirit double is born with a child. Unable to determine which twin is mortal and which is spirit, Yorubans treat each twin as sacred. Yorubans also believe twins contain powerful spirits that can be used for good or for magical purposes. Yorubans are the largest ethnic group in Africa. They have one of the highest rates of twin births in the world. Unfortunately, Yoruban twins also suffer an unusually high mortality rate.
Lesson Plans / Themes
  • African Folk Tales  
  • African Novel Study  
  • Communities and Geography  
Learning Standards
  • 16 History  
  • 18 Social Systems  
  • 25-27 Fine Arts  
Author or CreatorYoruba (African people) Social life and customs  
SourceDonated to the Lakeview Museum by Richard K. Meyer.  
Subject / Keywords
  • Nigeria  
  • Africa  
  • Ritual objects  
  • Sculptures  
  • Figures  
Spatial CoverageNigeria  
Temporal Coverage1900/1950
Collection PublisherLakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences
RightsCopyright Not Evaluated
Resource IdentifierLVM1974.011.008
Date Created7-8-02
Collection TitleTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
CollectionTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)

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Nigerian Ibeji Twin Figure, front view
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Nigerian Ibeji Twin Figure, side view
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