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The Yoruba have a high incidence of twins. However, the rate of child mortality is quite high, leading to the development of the ibeji or twin cult. If a twin dies, a figure is carved for the dead child, then clothed and fed alongside its live twin. If both children die, two figures such as these are created.

IBEJI TWIN FIGURES, WOOD 27.5cm TALL, YORUBA, 20TH CENTURY NIGERIA

GELEDE MASK PAINTED WOOD 44.5cm, YORUBA, NIGERIA

BEADED BAG MADE FROM BEADED YORUBA FABRIC

YORUBA GONG CURRENCY 3: These iron forms were recognized and used as currency for rare but major transactions. This unit can be hung on a wall, placed down horizontally or stand in an infinite number of positions.

YORUBA GONG CURRENCY 30: These iron forms were recognized and used as currency for rare but major transactions.

YORUBA GONG CURRENCY 6 These iron forms were recognized and used as currency for rare but major transactions.

YORUBA BEADED CROWN Worn by the king, or Oba, in public ceremonies, they are embellished with symbolic designs. Beads were signs of wealth and status. The veil, here incomplete, separated the divine king from mortals. It has 20 strands, averaging 12" long. The opposite side of the crown is similar, with a face and more attached birds.

YORUBA GONG CURRENCY 29: These iron forms were recognized and used as currency for rare but major transactions.

YORUBA GONG CURRENCY 12: These iron forms were recognized and used as currency for rare but major transactions.

YORUBA BEADED CROWN: Worn by the king, or Oba, in public ceremonies, they are embellished with symbolic designs. Beads were signs of wealth and status. The veil, here missing, seperated the divine king from mortals.

YORUBA DIVINATION TRAYS: Divination (Ifa) is practiced to explain misfortunes and help to prevent them. The diviner, in consulting a diety, manipulates sixteen palm nuts, reads the patterns they form and marks the results on a divination board sprinkled with wood dust. The marks indicate verses that should be chanted as prayers.with bowls are used to hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for sixteen sacred palm nuts used in divination.

YORUBA DIVINATION TRAY: Divination (Ifa) is practiced to explain misfortunes and help to prevent them. The diviner, in consulting a diety, manipulates sixteen palm nuts, reads the patterns they form and marks the results on a divination board sprinkled with wood dust. The marks indicate verses that should be chanted as prayers.with bowls are used to hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for sixteen sacred palm nuts used in divination

YORUBA DIVINATION TRAY: Divination (Ifa) is practiced to explain misfortunes and help to prevent them. The diviner, in consulting a diety, manipulates sixteen palm nuts, reads the patterns they form and marks the results on a divination board sprinkled with wood dust. The marks indicate verses that should be chanted as prayers.with bowls are used to hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for sixteen sacred palm nuts used in divination.

YORUBA DIVINATION TRAY: Divination (Ifa) is practiced to explain misfortunes and help to prevent them. The diviner, in consulting a diety, manipulates sixteen palm nuts, reads the patterns they form and marks the results on a divination board sprinkled with wood dust. The marks indicate verses that should be chanted as prayers.with bowls are used to hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for sixteen sacred palm nuts used in divination.

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YORUBA OSANYIN STAFF: These iron staffs, surmounted by birds and dedicated to Osanyin, deity of herbal medicine, promoted healing and discouraged witchcraft. The birds hobor the powers of elderly women, who could transform themselves into birds, to gain their support in the healing. The staffs were placed in the ground next to the ailing person.Used to carry divination objects and tools, the bags are worn in public ceremonies by Ifa priestesses and used and displayed in their homes. Beads were signs of wealth and status. The beaded front lifts up to reveal a pouch on the back panel.

YORUBA OSANYIN STAFF: These iron staffs, surmounted by birds and dedicated to Osanyin, deity of herbal medicine, promoted healing and discouraged witchcraft. The birds hobor the powers of elderly women, who could transform themselves into birds, to gain their support in the healing. The staffs were placed in the ground next to the ailing person.Used to carry divination objects and tools, the bags are worn in public ceremonies by Ifa priestesses and used and displayed in their homes. Beads were signs of wealth and status. The beaded front lifts up to reveal a pouch on the back panel.

YORUBA OSANYIN STAFF: These iron staffs, surmounted by birds and dedicated to Osanyin, deity of herbal medicine, promoted healing and discouraged witchcraft. The birds hobor the powers of elderly women, who could transform themselves into birds, to gain their support in the healing. The staffs were placed in the ground next to the ailing person.Used to carry divination objects and tools, the bags are worn in public ceremonies by Ifa priestesses and used and displayed in their homes. Beads were signs of wealth and status. The beaded front lifts up to reveal a pouch on the back panel.

YORUBA BODY MASK: Like the Makonde, male Yoruba dancers, taking the role of a woman in a ceremonial ritual would, in addition to a helmet mask, wear a female body mask. Carved thin, painted, tied onto the torso and combined with a mimicry of female movements the bodymasks created an effective illusion.

YORUBA BODY MASK 2: Like the Makonde, male Yoruba dancers, taking the role of a woman in a ceremonial ritual would, in addition to a helmet mask, wear a female body mask. Carved thin, painted, tied onto the torso and combined with a mimicry of female movements the bodymasks created an effective illusion.

YORUBA OFFERING BOWL 1: These bowls are used to hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for the sixteen sacred palm nuts used in divination

YORUBA OFFERING BOWL 2: These bowls are used to hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for the sixteen sacred palm nuts used in divination.

YORUBA OFFERING BOWL 3: These bowls are used to hold kola nuts as offerings of hospitality or as receptacles for the sixteen sacred palm nuts used in divination.

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YORUBA STOOL: Yoruba stools, like those of the Luba, related to kings and important chiefs, who defined their power by the display of prestige objects during important ceremonies. Stools were among the most important of these objects. The leader was literally as well as figuratively supported by a male or female caryatid figure, which also symbolizes the continuity of power.

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