An Ewe Venavi ibeji female couple, Ghana, standing on a wooden base, straight legs, robust square arms, little simply marked hands, a rounded carved navel, triangular shaped chest, which in funneled into the thick cylindric neck who carries a rounded head where in lays calming facial features that are high abstract, Certificate of providence.

Venavi figures are created to honor and protect twins. In cases where one twin passes away, a Venavi figure is carved to represent the deceased. The surviving twin is cared for alongside the figure, which is treated as a living being, washed, fed, and dressed, to maintain a spiritual connection and ensure the well-being of the living twin. Additionally, these figures are sometimes used as fertility dolls by women, who keep them under their mattresses or wear them under their clothes to promote fertility.

The Ewe, who live in southern Togo and Ghana are the eastern neighbors of Asante. They are probably best known for their textiles and also for small wooden dolls called "venovi" or "venavi" which are used like the Yoruba people in Nigeria used Ibeji twin figurines, for protection of survivor after death of a twin. Some scholars state that they are also used as children's dolls as well as sometimes used as fertility dolls by women who keep these dolls under their mattresses or were worn under the skirts of young women to ensure fertility. Scarifications and added clothing and strings of beads reveal family and clan religious and social affiliations.

These figures embody the traditional double appearance of twins. The Ewe people call them Venavi, and they are revered. The modern appearance is explained by the fact that dead twins are seen as living people, because they have accepted modern ways. The figures wear shoes, trousers and other objects. The statues are a remembrance of the dead twins. No one ever says a twin has died. They say he or she is in the bush fetching fire wood. This means that he is not far and will come back soon. Twins are considered to be immortal. From birth on they are considered to be gods or spirits, and must always get special care.

Source: Soul of Africa

Dorotheum

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Height: 23 cm / 23 cm
Weight: 180 g / 190 g