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The Yoruba’s are considered as the major part of African ethnic group. In this fast pace growing world, the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria is counted amongst one of the world’s largest proportions of multiple births. Most probably, the twins are the majority born to ladies. And hence, these twins are called as Ibeji. From the populations update news, it is known that of every 1000 births there is about 45-twin birth in Yoruba’s group. According to their aesthetic values, they are the most respected ones and are traditionally very important for them. Commonly known as the idol of twins, Ibeji are worshiped by Yoruba as god. Especially, this god is portrayed by using two wooden figures. These twin figures are called as Taiyewo and Kehinde. And these gods are worshipped with the sacrifices of beans and vegetable soup. It is known that Ibeji children’s never take interest in their parent’s occupation. The twins of Yoruba’s’ reside in just one soul. And it’s just a rare case when a young twin dies at an early age. When both of the twins died, their mother was asked to beg on the streets to survive their life. One of the interesting topics you would love to know about is the Ere Ibeji. It is nothing but a carved wooden figures which are made to dwell the resting soul of died twins are also called as Ibeji. One of the astonishing traditions seen in that country was the killing of twins. Through a study conducted in 1968, it was revealed that practice named ’oyo’ was followed by people. In this practice, the twins were killed by a knife placed at the neck. They actually believed that a woman giving birth to twins is not a human, either considered as an animal. To change this Yoruba’s belief, King Ayaka the brother of Sango made a thunder to put an end to these negative thoughts. And hence, the woman who gave birth to twins was not discriminated. The woman who gave birth to twins was considered to be wealthy in future. And hence, the custom of Ibeji started. At the end, it is now understood that twins are born due to the normal sexual intercourse and they are considered as the best gift from god. And now, they are respected and praised as gods by common people. As per the recent trends, the Ibeji custom has become an hundred decades old. For more information about Oceanic art, please visit www.tribalartantiques.com
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