IBEJI – Spirit of the Twins
July 30, 2016
“Behold Twins, Children Of The Monkey Do Not Die”
Nothing embodies the spirit of cultural transcendence that is the legacy of the African
Diaspora quite as poignantly as the exquisitely carved Twin figures, called Ibeji. These
figures represent an African tradition that was so heartfelt and deeply ingrained that it was
able to survive the Middle Passage.
For the Yoruba, a mother of Twins is indeed doubly blessed. With the birth of her Twins,
comes the family’s ability to attain a better life through the aid of these special children who
are considered close to the gods. As is often the case in Africa, and in life, good fortune can
turn to disaster if it is not handled properly. The Yoruba believe that special ceremonies
must be performed, praise songs sung, and special foods be served to Twins so that they
can maintain their favor with the gods and hence that of their family.
The Yoruba people are widely known as having the highest naturally occurring rates of
Twinning in the world. Unfortunately, the mortality rate for Twins is also high. If the birth of
Twins is cause for great celebration, the passing of a Twin is cause for great mourning. If
one or both of a pair of Twins dies, the family will consult a diviner who may say that a
small wooden figure must be carved to contain the spirit of the lost child. The figure
resembles what the child might have looked like in the prime of life had the full promise of
its birth been realized.
Twins double the financial burden of the family; at the same time they are considered to be
extremely beneficial in bringing about blessings to the family. Often, Twins of poor families
were put to death to ease the family’s financial burdens. Through divination, Ifa discovered
the killing of the Twins was offending Shango, the God of Thunder. The oracle informed Ifa
that the mother of Twins must dance to Ibeji, the spirit of the Twins, every five days. “You
are the ones who open doors on Earth. You are the ones who open doors in Heaven. When
you awaken, you provide money; You provide children; you provide long life; You, who are
dual spirits.”
Ibeji re, omo edun ibeji re, omo edun kere-kere-yan
Behold twins, children of monkey, They do not die
The last line of the song above is true in that the Yoruba people believe Twins share the
same Soul. Upon the death of a Twin, the mother commissions an Ere figure. This figure is
thought to provide a resting place for the deceased Twin’s Soul. If the ere figure is not
provided, the Yoruba people believe the Soul of the deceased will seek vengeance by
bringing terrible misfortune to the other Twin, or the entire family. Ere figures are carved as
the same sex of the deceased Twin, but as an adult.
The Ere Ibeji are placed on the household altar. There they are fed and clothed just as the
surviving twin is fed and clothed. This is thought to placate Shango. Ere Ibeji figures are
dedicated to Shango by the application of cam powder. Shango is also known as Oko Ibeji,
(husband of twins.)
The first born Twin, whether a boy or a girl, is always called Taiwo, meaning “having the
first taste of the world”, whereas the second is named Kehinde, meaning “arriving after the
other”. Although being born first Taiwo is considered as the younger Twin. His senior
Kehinde is supposed to send out his partner to see what the outside world looks like. As
soon as Taiwo has given a signal by crying, Kehinde will follow. Kehinde is supposed to be
more careful, more intelligent and more reflective, while Taiwo is believed to be more
curious and adventurous, but also more nonchalant.
In the event that one or both Twins dies in infancy, precautions must be taken immediately,
to counteract the danger implicit in such an event. After consultation with the Ifa priest, the
Ere Ibeji Twin figurine, is made. A commissioned sculptor carves the small wooden figurine
which will serve as a symbolic substitute and dwelling place for the Soul of the departed.
The Diviner will then perform the traditional ritual of transferring the Soul of the deceased
to the ere Ibeji figurine.
Legend and Myth Twins are also called Ejire, or “two who are one.” According to Yoruba
tradition, everyone on earth has an Ancestral Guardian Spirit or Soul counterpart in the sky
that duplicates his or her actions. This Soul is constantly and cyclically reborn. Twins are
thought to have a double Soul. Because there is no way of distinguishing the Twin who is a
divine being from the mortal Twin, both are treated as sacred.
*** The Ibeji are not simply the Yoruba “worship of twins.” It deals with the nature of Twins
being born in pairs and how this Twin nature is the true nature of creation. Twins symbolize
the pairing of two things from creation in order to perpetuate further dual creation. The Ibeji
are depicted as Twins (usually male and female) because their symbolism transcends a
married couple. They are Twin brother and sister. They reflect kinship, equality, and unity in
accomplishment far beyond just marriage. This is why nothing we wish to achieve can be
done alone. We must work in pairs. It is our true Twin nature. This is the metaphor behind
the veneration of Ibeji and other West-Central African twinned divinities…
