Nigerian collector Kayode Adegbola has turned his fascination with Yorùbá ère ìbejì—intricate wooden twin carvings—into the Ìbejì Project, a global effort to revive and celebrate this unique cultural tradition.
The Yorùbá, who have one of the world’s highest twin birth rates, view twins as bearers of spiritual blessing. And if one passes away, a figure is lovingly carved to house its spirit, ensuring protection and continuity for the family. Statuettes were also often carved for living twins.
These carvings were traditionally cared for as living children, but the practice has sadly faded, with many figures now residing in foreign museums. Adegbola’s project works to reclaim this heritage by collecting original carvings and curating contemporary art exhibitions that explore themes of twinship.
His goal is to transform these artifacts from static museum pieces into a vibrant, living conversation, ensuring this remarkable tradition is studied and celebrated by a global audience for generations to come.