Yoruba ibeji "twin" doll, Nigeria Africa Start Price USD 250.00 Current Price USD 250.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, July 17, 2008 End Time Thursday, July 24, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Yoruba ibeji "twin" doll, Nigeria Africa' Description Height is 11 inches. Great piece. Among the Yoruba, who have the highest rate of twins in the world, the arrival of twins is seen as both a blessing and an omen because of the high mortality rate. If a twin dies, an image dedicated to Ibeji ,the deity of twins, is carved to serve as the earthly abode for the spirit of the deceased. (AFRICAN DOLLS FOR PLAY AND MAGIC, by Dagan.) "Among the Yoruba, twins have special powers, much like the orisha. and are to be treated with respect throughout their lives. If a twin dies, the mother seeks a diviner's advice about which carver should make the ere ibeji to stand in for the dead child. Once the figure is carved, the artist activates it by soaking it in a special solution and rubbing it with specific oils. The mother treats the ere ibeji as if it were alive, feeding, dressing, and bathing the image. Its face is washed with soap or sugarcane fiber, then rubbed with a cloth and indigo or laundry bluing. After a period of time, the facial features may be rubbed away." (ISN'T S/HE A DOLL -PLAY AND RITUAL IN AFRICAN SCULPTURE/Cameron)**019586** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!