Yoruba twins
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Yoruba twins are twins of Yoruba ethnicity. They are important in Yoruba society both socially and in their artistic representations.
Twins have always been revered and considered a sign of fertility among the Yoruba people. The Yoruba have among the highest rates of twin births in the world, between 4.5% and 5%. There is no scientifically proven explanation of why the birthrate for twins is so high, but a possible cause is the Yoruba's large intake of yams containing estrogenic substances. The birth of a set of twins is celebrated in Yorubaland, with the whole town having a feast when they are born to prominent members of the tribe. They are widely known and respected among the tribe. Yorubas believe that twins have the power to bring health and happiness to their family, but also have the power to bring distress and destruction.
The first twin born is considered the younger child among the two, and is named Taiwo, meaning “having the first taste of the world.” Taiwo is supposed to be curious but nonchalant. Taiwo is considered the younger child because it is said that the older sibling gives the order for Taiwo to see what it looks like outside the womb. When the child makes it outside, it cries to let the older sibling know it is OK to come out. The older sibling is named Kehinde (“arriving after the other”) and is believed to be more cautious and intelligent.
Three days after the children are born, the parents go to the Babalawo, the Ifá priest, to drive out any evil spirits that may harm the children. The priest then educates the mother on how she should raise her children. This includes the color of clothing or jewelry the children may wear, the food the children are able to eat, and which animals the children should avoid. The mother will follow these instruction because she wants the gods to be pleased with her children and their family. The Ifá priest has the power to tell the parents to let one of the twins starve to death if the child is possessed by a demon that he cannot exorcise.
[edit] Ere ibeji
The Yorubas believe both twins share one soul, so if one twin dies at a young age, the balance of the soul is thrown off or disturbed. The death rate of children is very high in Africa, and on account of this, a ritual is carried out to put the twins’ soul back into balance. The Ifá priest chooses a well established carver to create a small figure that symbolizes the dead child. The carver is free to create a figure of the twin in his own image of what he felt about the twin. If both twins die, then two figures are made. The soul is transported into the figures. These figures are called ere ibeji. Ibi means born, eji means two, and ere means sacred image. The figure remains as respected and as powerful as the person it represents. The children’s parents must treat the statue as if it were real, so it is bathed, fed, and clothed just as it would be in life. The figure is particularly special to the mother, who keeps the figure close to her bed. She rubs the figure with red wood powder to maintain the look of slickness, and she caresses the figure in a loving manner. Rituals and prayers are performed for the child’s birthday and other celebrations or festivals.
The head of the figure is associated with the child’s destiny, which measures the success or failure of the child. The size of the head is one-third the size of the body because the head is where the spirit resides. The head must be big in proportion to the rest of the body. The figure is very detailed, but it is only a symbol of the child and is not intended to be a realistic likeness but rather a resemblance of a human. The child is shown as an adult, which is common in African sculpture. The features of the child are more mature, including scarifications on the face, and full-sized breasts on female figures. The surface of the figure is very smooth. The figure is motionless to represent discipline, serenity, and confidence. The figure sometimes holds symbolic items. Shells or beads may invoke certain gods or indicate wealth.
[edit] References
- Leroy, Olaleye-Oruene, Koeppen-Schomerus, and Bryan. “Yoruba Customs and Beliefs Pertaining to Twins” Twin Research, Volume 5, Number 2, April 2002. Pp. 132–136.
- Ray, Benjamin C. Notes from “African Art: Aesthetics and Meaning” art exhibit. Bayly Art Museum, University of Virginia. January 25 – August 15, 1993.
- Price, Steve. Notes from Weavings and Wood: Introduction to Tribal Arts from Southeast Asia to West Africa. Accessed August 14, 2006.
- Zemanek, David. “The Yoruba Ibedji Twin Cult”. Accessed August 14, 2006.
