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This beautifully carved Ibeji figure was created at the death of a twin.  The Yoruba believed that twins bring good luck to their families, and if a twin dies, a wooden figure is carved to represent the deceased. The carved figure is then fed and cared for as if it were a living child.

Source: News, July August 2000.


Maker
Yoruba, Nigeria
DimensionsOverall: 8 × 3 × 3 in. (20.3 × 7.6 × 7.6 cm)
Accession Number 2000.12
ClassificationsAfrican/Oceanic/Pre-Columbian
CopyrightPublic Domain
Small Twin Figure (Ere Ibeji)
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Anonymous
date unknown