Collected in situ in 1956 in Nigeria.
Female twin figures - "ere ibeji" from the Oyo region of Yorubaland in Nigeria. The bodies of the ibejis are partially covered in camwood "osun" and both have the remains of indigo colouring in their hair. Both have strings of dark coconut discs around their waists, one has bracelets around the wrists. They also have coloured glass-beads around their necks. A magnificent cowrie shell cloak covers the ibejis, triangular patches of leather and cloth ornaments are sewn into the cloak. Slight damage to the triangles.
An Ibeji is used as a container for the soul of a dead twin. The Yoruba believe that the souls of twins are connected to each other and the a dead twin must be looked after exactly like a living child in that it is fed, bathed and spoken to.
