Antique Ibeji Figure, Ekiti Yoruba Nigeria African Sculpture

A beautiful female Yoruba ibeji from the area of Ekiti. in North East of Nigeria, with the hairstyle and carving typical for the region. 

Yoruba peoples have one of the highest incidents of twin births in the world. As a result, twins are regarded as extraordinary beings protected by Sango, the deity of thunder. They are believed to be capable of bestowing immense wealth upon their families or misfortune to those who do not honour them. Powerful spirits in life, twins are honoured with carved memorial figures when they die. These figures, known as ere ibeji (literally meaning ere: sacred image; ibi: born; eji: two), remain a point of access to the spirit of the departed individual.