Figure | ere ibeji

Figures of twins are usually carved when children and young people, who are still being cared for by their parents and have not yet found their place in life, pass away. However, it is not the children but adults who are depicted. Nor are these figures individualised portraits, instead, it is left to the carver's personal artistic flair to decide how to fashion the figure. The gender of the deceased child is the sole determining factor. In rare cases, figures of triplets, quadruplets or quintuplets are also carved. Like real children, the Ibeji figures are washed, anointed, dressed and adorned, stroked, fed and carried by the mother in their nappies. There is a great variety in regional styles and in the characteristic styles of numerous masters, some of whom are known by name. The workshop, region or ethnic group from which a figure hails can be determined in principle by means of typical scarifications, among other things. However, confusion can arise. Due to the high fluctuation of carvers between their hometowns and the big cities, a mixture of styles has also developed. Translation: Timothy Connell