VOL. 65, No.

443

IBEJI -The Deity of Twins Among the Yoruba

PAULINE V. SEALEY, R.N., Silver Spring, Maryland

Twins are revered by the Yoruba. They wear the same clothing, eat the same food, and share in all services. Taiwo, the first born of twins, is said to have been sent first out of the uterus to examine the world for the senior twin called Kehinde (or he who lags behind). The name Taiwo means "having tasted the world."

Soon after the birth of twins the father visits the

Another most important function of the divining priest is to declare to the father whether or not images should be made for the twins. Such an image, or Ibeji, is not prescribed always by the divination for either one or both twins. If no images are ordered the father is sternly warned that he must not disregard the orders of the Babalawo or the consequences might well be the death of one or both beloved twins. When it is ordained that images of the twins be made they are fashioned by skilled carvers and soaked in a magic potion. The Ibeji images bear the facial markings (abaja) of the family and occupy a prominent place in the home. They are dressed in the same clothing as the twins and receive an abundance of loving care. Food given to the twins frequently is touched to the mouths of the images. If images were not decreed at birth and one twin dies an Ibeji then is fashioned and kept as a companion for the surviving twin. If this image is neglected the life of the surviving twin then is said to be in jeopardy. Many Ibeji images are annointed regularly, clothed in special raiment, and have fine jewelry made for them. The illustrations show a pair of Ibeji images from Yorubaland. They have silver bracelets and bean necklaces and waistbands for adornment. The abaja (facial markings) of these figures designate that they are descendants of the older Basorun family line of the old kingdom of Oyo in the now Western State of Nigeria.
REFERENCES

Babelawo, the divining priest of Ifa, who gives information concerning the future of the twins. He advises the father as to the types of food to serve at the naming ceremony and declares whether the mother of the twins should dance in the streets to the music of the drums and accept gifts from anyone who proffers them. Until the naming ceremony on the eighth day after birth both mother and twins remain in the home.

1, JOHNSON, S. The History of the Yorubas. Lowe and Brydone, Ltd., London, 1921. 2. IDOWU, E. B. Olodumare, God in Yoruba Belief. Longmans, Green and Co., Ltd., London, 1962. 3. ABRAHAM, R. C. Dictionary of Modern Yoruba. Univ. Lond. Press, Ltd., London, 1958.

THE ETHIOPIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

The idea of establishing a medical association in Ethiopia was first conceived by foreign physicians who came into the country during and immediately after the ItaloEthiopian War. The meeting of these physicians 20 years ago in Harar marked the establishment of the association. But it was not until July 1961 that the Association came into real being with chartered constitution. It was also during this eventful month that the first Ethiopian Medical Journal was issued. Although few, Ethiopian physicians had started to