Female pair of twin figures "hohovi" · Benin, eastern Ewe · ID: 3039026
Mark Eglinton, New York, USA (2007)
Description
wood, middle brown patina, traces of black paint, round voluminous shoulders, elaborate coiffures carved with fine plaited pattern, reminding of the “ibejis” from the Yoruba (especially their heads), mouthparts strongly rubbed off by feeding procedures, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (above all backside), base;
in ancient Africa, twins were considered of supernatural origin. In some African communities, the newly-born twins had to be killed because they appeared to be a threat to the society. Others regarded them as welcome new members - highly respected - like the Yoruba and the Ewe-speaking people in Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
Comparing literature
African Art Associates (ed.), Twin figures from West Africa, Washington D.C. 1981, p. 29, ill. 1196