"Ibeji" with "shango" symbol · Nigeria, Yoruba, Ila-Orangun · ID: 3037626
Description
wood, dark brown patina, partly matt, partly shiny, indigo blue pigment, carved with bracelets, belt and islamic triangle “tirah” on breast and back, notched tattoos at the lower part of the body, scarification marks on cheeks and chin, the “shango” emblem, a massive version of the double axe, incorporated in the hairdo, slightly dam., minor missing parts (forehead), crack (double axe), traces of insect caused damage (right foot, coiffure backside);
rare!
“ibeji” figures wearing the symbol of the god “shango”, the double axe, or the sign of the “orisha” “eshu”, the “eshu” pigtail are rare to be found. Stoll states, that in these cases it may be supposed that the families in question had a strong allegiance to the respective gods, who might be thought of as the familiy’s “patron orisha”. Such figures are borderline cases. It can not clearly be determined whether they were originally used as “ibeji” or as “shango” figures.