Africa, the arrival of Europeans and the transatlantic slave trade

Ibeji figures

Made in Oshogbo, Nigeria, date unknown, latest 1957
Carved wood, with camwood paste

Object number 0.9195/254 and 0.9195/255
Collected and given by Frank Willet, 1957

See this object at The Manchester Museum, University of Manchester This object may not always be on display. Please check with the venue before visiting.

Ibeji figures

This pair of male Ibeji figures was made by the Yoruba people of Oshogbo, Nigeria. In Yoruban, Ibeji means twins. These carved wooden figures have been rubbed with camwood paste in the body crevices, which gives a richness of colour to the wood and was believed to have healing properties.  The Yoruba people suffered greatly during the time of the transatlantic slave trade.

The figures were collected by Frank Willet, who used to be curator of anthropology at the Manchester Museum.

This information was provided by curators at The Manchester Museum.