A Pair of African Yoruba Twin Figures - Ere Ibeji,
Nigeria, ca. 1960-70's,
Carved and painted wood with beaded decorations.
H: 9 1/2 W: 3 1/2 D: 3 3/4 in.
Collection of Melvin J. Fox, The Ford Foundation 1951-1977.

Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Melvin J. Fox traveled extensively throughout the region. The artifacts in his collection were gathered during his 26 years in West Africa.

Yoruba peoples have one of the highest incidents of twin births in the world. As a result, twins are regarded as extraordinary beings protected by Sango, the deity of thunder. They are believed to be capable of bestowing immense wealth upon their families or misfortune to those who do not honor them.
Powerful spirits in life, twins are honored with carved memorial figures when they die. These figures, known as ere ibeji (literally meaning ere: sacred image; ibi: born; eji: two), remain a point of access to the spirit of the departed individual. The mother provides ritual care to the figures, bathing, dressing, adorning, and feeding them. Such daily handling is responsible for giving their surface its distinctive patina. Ere ibeji invariably represent their subjects with mature adult physiognomies, and are often crowned with elaborate hairdos. (Metropolitan Museum of Art)