African Art in Cultural Perspective: An Introduction

Abstract

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Yoruba Customs and Beliefs Pertaining to Twins

“…Besides the creator Olorun or Olodumare the Yoruba pantheon is diversified into numerous gods or Orishas. The resemblance with the realm of ancient Greek mythology justifies the designation of the Yorubas as the "Hellenes of Africa" (Bascom, 1973;Chappel, 1974;Mobolade, 1971;Thompson, 1971). The main Orishas are (Courlander, 1973;Stoll & Stoll, 1980):…”

“…Yorubas are the heirs of the prestigious artistic traditions that prevailed in the ancient kingdom of Benin and the sacred civilisation of Ifa. Yoruba traditional craftsmen have hence produced some of the most elaborate and classical examples of black African art (Bascom, 1973). Ibeji statuettes are among the best-known Yoruba wooden carvings.…”