Douglas Yaney Gallery

 Main page
African Art
Haitian Art
Pre-Columbian Art
 Contact us
Mailing list
Policy page
Links
 

Yoruba  female Ibeji
Nigeria
Wood
10" high
# y2755-29
 (was $295)
 32% Discount = $199

             
 We will be happy to e-mail a full size photo to you upon request.
Please reference the stock number for this item. No refunds (exchange
only) on discounted items, so if you want a detailed description
of the condition, please make your request BEFORE placing an order.
Ibeji  The Yoruba have an extraordinarily high number of twins born and unfortunately  there is also a large number of deaths during childhood. 

Twins are considered to be powerful spirits, so upon the death of one or both twins, the ibeji, a small wood figure, is carved to represent the dead child.  The ibeji is treated just as if the child were still alive.  It is bathed. clothed, fed and generally looked after by the mother to assure that only good fortune is brought to the family. Ibejis are not carved to look like children but instead they appear as either male or female adults.