African Art Statue - A Fine Yoruba, (Ibeji), Tribal Figure

Description

A fine Yoruba Ibeji figure with bulging eyes and pupils indicated by nails.
There's the typical "three-claw" tribal scarification marks on both cheeks. The coiffure is dyed with indigo, with rows of colored beads looped around the neck and on the right arm, cowry on the left arm. The figure is in excellent condition and its from the Yoruba people in Nigeria.
Ibeji is protective orisha (cult) of twins. The name is derived from ibi, 'first born,' and eji, 'two.' The Yoruba welcome the birth of twins, as twins are traditionally believed to bring good luck and protection for the family. Additionally, they do believe that twins share a common soul. Thus if one dies, a statue is made to 'hold' the soul or as an adobe for the departed; hence, serving as a method of reuniting the soul of the deceased with the living twin.
I purchased these art over 20 years ago.