Ibeji with beaded gown

Place of Origin: Nigeria
Cultural Group: Yoruba peoples
Materials Used: Wood, glass beads, string, metal, camwood, powder, cloth, cowrie shells
Dimensions: H: 27.5 cm, W: 22.0 cm, D: 9.5 cm (H: 10.8 in, W: 8.6 in, D: 3.7in)
Credit line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Bequest of Mary Stansbury Ruiz. X87.1601

The puzzling shape on the front of this garment is probably the profile of a rooster, one of the favorite offerings to Sango (and twins). Thus the sacrifice of money to buy the beaded grown is doubled in this second offering, giving gift upon gift to proclaim love and respect for the spirit of twins.

Source: Drewal, H., Mason, J. (1998). “Beads, Body, and Soul – Art and Light in the Yoruba Universe”, Los Angeles: UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. page 248