Twin Figure (Ibeji), 19th
century The Yoruba people of Nigeria have the highest rate of twin births in the world. The Yoruba believe the souls of twins are joined together and belong to the realms of both the gods and human beings. If one twin dies, the Yoruba believe he or she becomes lonely for the living twin and may attempt to lure him or her to the afterworld. To prevent this, parents commission carved figures, called ibeji, to honor deceased twins. Once a figure has been made, the carver installs in it the soul of the dead twin. Ibeji reside on an altar inside the home, joining a family's other twin figures, which may stretch back several generations. A mother cares for ibeji as she would care for living twins by offering them food and fine clothing. Regardless of the age at which a twin dies, the carved figure represents the strength and potential of young adulthood. Red camwood is rubbed on ibeji to consecrate them, and indigo dye or laundry blueing is applied to the hair to seek the protection of Shango, god of thunder. Blue beads invoke the goddess Oshun, protector of children, while cowry shells refer to the wealth twins bring.
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