An exceptional, old Ibeji figure from the Yoruba people of Nigeria.  The Yoruba people have a very high rate of multiple births, twins are considered to be ritually powerful.  If a twin should die, an image dedicated to Ibeji, the deity of twins, is carved to serve as the earthly abode of the spirit of the deceased twin.  Differences in coiffure, scarification, or figure shape indicate the region or origin of an Ibeji figure.  This Ibeji is from the lla area.  The figure has flaps pulled down beside her ears, and like the lla Orangun Ibeji, it has an Islamic triangle, well-formed breasts and carved in teeth which is a characteristic not to be found in any other region of the country.  It is also 11 3/4" in height, which is fairly tall for an Ibeji--another characteristic of the lla region.