Ibeji/Ibeyi Ejire created in Yoruban likeness of traditional style (*made in clay as apposed to carved wood). Custom hand made dolls, fetishes. Sold as set. Approximate Size : 7 -7.25"

Made to order 1-2 weeks. Can be customized upon request.


NOTE: As these are handmade in polymer clay and not molded, each set will vary slightly, making them unique in their own way. Cloth coverings available in black/natural pattern, or blue/yellow pattern. Request colour in note section at check out.


TRADITION

The Ejire Ibeji (Ere in Yoruban), may be decorated with camwood powder, blue paint, beads, metal armlets, strings of cowries attached from the wrists, and precious textiles. Despite the fact that the doll can serve as a receptacle for the spirit of the dead child, Ere ibeji figures do not look like children. These figures are carved to represent an ideal type within the Yoruba criteria of beauty and in the prime of life—neither a child nor an old person.

The style emphasizes the conical head, an elaborate hairstyle, a roundness of the eyes and facial features, and typically a balanced composition between the body parts. Each of these features references a moral virtue or inner goodness all children should cultivate. Ere ibeji reveal not only the importance of twins and a strong belief in the afterlife, but what Yoruba regard as beautiful and correct.


Exclusively available at Garden of Blood & Bone & BlackHeart Designs.


ABOUT

Ibeji Twins (also Ibeyi) are called Ejire, or "two who are one".

Yoruba tradition says everyone on earth has an Ancestral Guardian Spirit or Soul counterpart in the sky that duplicates his or her actions. This soul is constantly any cyclically reborn. Twins are thought to have a double soul. Because there is no way of distinguishing the Twin who is divine being from the mortal Twin, both are treated as sacred.

The Ibeji are considered the tutelary orisha of anyone who is born a twin, including those who have lost their twin sibling. In Yoruba society, when a mother gives birth to twins, Ibeji are consecrated and given to her as well as a set for her twin children. If one twin dies, a special doll is consecrated to act as a body for the deceased child's sibling to carry, so that the two-bodied soul of the twins can remain intact. Otherwise the surviving twin would quicky follow his r her sibling to death. When the second twin dies, a second doll is consecrated to match the first and both are kept wit the consecrated pots by the mother. This tradition evolved into Santeria Lucumi tradition, where Ibeji are received with two pots containing the mysteries and two consecrated dolls to accompany them.

The first born twin, whether a boy or a girl, is always called Taiwo (also Taewo), meaning "having the first taste of the world", whereas the second twin is named Kehindé, "arriving after the other", or "I will follow". Although being born first, Taiwo is considered the younger of the two. There are lineage variations of sexes of the twins (boy/girl, girl/girl and boy/boy).

It is common for aborishas to receive Ibeji, while others receive Ibeji in kariocha. Many receive Ibeji as an orisha addimu as indicated in dialogue, while others never receive Ibeji. Ibeji are not a required orisha to receive during kariocha, but it is common to receive them by the time they crown ocha.

Whenever Ibeji perform in wemileres or bembé s, drummers greet Ibeji by chanting their songs and performing their rhythms and offering them gifts or money. Ibeji is believed to repay these gifts by multiplying them in many ways.

PATAKI

Kehinde sends out Taiwo to see what the outside world looks like. As soon as Taiwo has given a signal by crying, Kehindé will follow. Kehindé is said to be more careful, more intelligent and more reflective, while Taiwo is more curious and adventurous, but also more nonchalant.

Tradition holds that the first pair of Ibeji were born to Shango and Oshun, and were by Yemojá. Ibeji are they are orisha that are alive, and typically they are not ordained as they were born. However, when they are, Taiwo is ordained to Shango and Kehindé is ordained to Yemojá.


Syncretism: St. Cosmas and St. Damian
Celebrated: September 27th
Colours: Red and Blue
Numbers: 2,4,8

OLD WORLD - MODERN TIMES

Ibeji figures have become Western collector’s items and artists are now creating/carving for the tourist market. However, the practice of using spiritual figures has not stopped, though since the 1970s some parents have chosen to use manufactured, imported dolls or photographs instead of carved figures as receptacles for the spiritual energy of the deceased. These materials are generally less expensive, worldly, and modern. While Ere ibeji carvings have a distinct style, the fact that another medium can successfully serve the same purpose suggests that for the Yoruba, art is dynamic and flexible. While Western collectors demand an Ere ibeji that is similar to the image above, Yoruba practitioners were not constrained by a stylistic cannon and specific materials. For indigenous users, it is the concept behind this art making practice that is most important. - Dr. Peri Klemm


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