Description
Yoruba Ibeji Pair Igbuke Oyo African Tribal Art
Fine old male and female pair of Yoruba Ibeji Figures from the Igbuke carving workshop in Oyo.
The male figure with a long hair braid can be attributed to a devotion to the Yoruba deity Eshu
Igbuke was a known carver of Ibeji figures and this style is attributed to his workshop
Measure: height 29 cm. 27 cm
Fine old collectible pair in good condition.
Period Early 20th century
The Yoruba people of Nigeria is west Africa have a very high birth rate of twins much higher than average.
The Ibeji figures are small commemorative wood carvings that were made by the Yoruba tribe of West Africa. Ibeji figures are made to contain the soul and spiritual essence of a deceased twin. Called Ere Ibeji( sacred ibeji). The word ibeji literally means twins. In the ibeji cult the Yoruba believe that caring for the carving of the dead twin will help the surviving sibling to flourish.
