Ibeji Twin Dolls :: (Stat-Nig-Ibeji-010)

Description

The Yoruba hold one of the highest twin birth-rates of the world, giving rise to twins being assigned an almost mythical status in this culture.
The dolls are tokens of good fortune, the deepening of familial love and homage to our collective immortal journey.
The statues are created to honor deceased twins. Among the Yoruba, it is believed that twins share a soul, and if one twin dies, the other may fall ill or suffer. Therefore, the surviving twin or family may commission a wooden or bronze statue of the deceased twin, known as an “ere ibeji,” to continue to care for and honor their spirit. The statues often depict the deceased twin as a child, as they are believed to remain forever young in the spirit world. They are adorned with various ornaments and symbols that represent protection, fertility, and spiritual connection. Ibeji twin statues serve as a way to remember and honor the deceased twin, as well as to seek their continued protection and blessings for the family. They are also seen as a means of ensuring the well-being of the surviving twin and the family as a whole.