Artists unknown, Nigeria, Yoruba. Three Ere Ibeji, wood and pigments, beads. Gift of Justin and Elisabeth Lang, 1984
Exhibitions
Ere Ibeji: Twin Figures of the Yoruba
African Gallery
17 December 2007 - 21 September 2008
Ere Ibeji: 'ere' = sacred image; 'ibi' = born; 'eji' = two
Ere Ibeji are much admired by those interested in African sculpture. Part of the rich sculptural tradition of the Yoruba, they have an appealing aesthetic presence. This exhibition provides some insight into their place in traditional Yoruba practices and presents several outstanding examples from the Art Centre's Lang Collection of African Art.
The Yoruba of Nigeria have one of the highest rates of twin births in the world and a fifty percent death rate among newborn twins. In ancient times twins were considered un-natural and a source of evil. However, by the mid 18th century, twins were honoured as minor deities who brought good fortune to their parents. Thus the loss of a twin was particularly mourned and special rites were required to appease its soul. As part of these rites, an Ere Ibeji symbolically representing the dead twin was commissioned from a sculptor and cared for by the mother as if it were a living child. The family kept it in a household shrine. By caring for the Ere Ibeji, the family hoped that the essence of the dead twin would reside in the sculpted figure and bestow the good fortune that twins bring to a household.
Dorothy Farr
This Exhibition is presented with the support of the Justin and Elisabeth Lang Foundation Fund