Male twin figure "ere ibeji"
Deutsche Privatsammlung
Description
wood, reddish brown patina, remains of white and indigo blue pigment, two strings of glassbeads, Ila characteristics: the cap pulled down over the ears, the Islamic triangle “tirah"on breast and back and the prominent penis; facial features abraded (due to the regular applying of food offerings and innumerable face washings), slightly dam., traces of insect caused damage, missing parts above all backside (back of the head, base), acrylic base;
when a twin died, parents visited the priest of the “ifa” oracle, and asked which wood carver they had to call on to sculpt an “ere ibeji”. A rooster was sacrificed at the foot of the “ire ona”, the tree from which the “ibeji” was carved. Usually the figure was ready within one week. The carver had to take account of the twin’s gender and the group’s facial scarifications, but was otherwise totally free in the creation of a new ibeji. Prior to the statuette being handed over to the parents, the carver would summon the “emi” (spirit) of the deceased child by having the figurine lie for days in a brew consisting of water and finely mashed leaves of a particular sort. After drying, he would rub-in a mixture of palm oil and shea butter, called “ero”. With a big feast in the house of the carver and a final offering to “ogun”, the parents received their “ibeji”. The “ere ibeji” had become a new home for the soul of the deceased twin. The dead child remained present amongst the living, with - and by the grace of- the “ibeji”.