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Image Not Available for (Ere Ibeji)
(Ere Ibeji)
Image Not Available for (Ere Ibeji)

(Ere Ibeji)

Date20th century
Label TextTwins inspire both fear and wonder in Yorubaland, where the rate of twin births is among the highest in the world. Twins are considered special children who can bring riches to their parents or misfortune to those who do not honor them. If a twin dies, a sculpture is carved to remember them in the prime of life-forward-facing, confident, and dignified.
Object number81.17.613
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Documents International: Reflections in the Mirror: A World of Identity, April 23, 1998 - June 20, 1999
Credit LineGift of Katherine White and the Boeing Company
Dimensions11 1/4 x 10 1/4 x 5 in. (28.6 x 26 x 12.7 cm)
MediumWood, cloth, cowrie shells, leather, encrustation
House of the Head (Ile Ori)
Nigerian
Object number: 81.17.577
Figure for Esu
Nigerian
Object number: 81.17.597
House of the Head (Ile Ori)
Nigerian
Object number: 93.157
Twin statuette (Ibeji)
Yoruba
Object number: 77.49
Staff for Esu (Ogo Elegba)
Nigerian
Object number: 81.17.592
Ghanaian
Object number: 81.17.453.1
Ghanaian
Object number: 81.17.453.2
Kuba
Object number: 81.17.859
Turkana
Object number: 81.17.1132