Ibejí, the Divine Twins
Symbol: twins
Also known as Ibeyí, Ibelli, Ibryi, Meji, Melli, Jimaguas, where ibi means born and eji means two.
Twins are very sacred and magical among the people of Yorubaland, where this region of Nigeria is said to have the highest rate of twin births, about 5%, where the rest of the world has a twin-birth percentage of 0.5%. These orisha and all twins of this world are considered to have one soul in two bodies, inextricably linked in life through destiny. The Ibejí are believed to be the original twins born on this earth and are said to be the orishas of joy, curiosity, childish glee, happiness, abundance, and mischief. The Gemini twins in astrology are related directly to the Ibejí. The Ibejí are named Kehinde (second-born) and Taiwo (first born). Kehinde literally means “the one who comes after” and Taiwo means “the first to touch the surface” or “the one who gets the first taste of the world”. Mythology says that in actuality Kehinde is the first born; he sends Taiwo out first to be born to check whether the conditions of the earth are suitable. In Brazil, Ibejí may be accompanied by a third child, named Doum, who may be born after the twins or may, in fact, by the triplet.
The Ibejí’s parents are, Chango and Oshun. A traditional pataki tells of how Oshun was shunned when she gave birth to the twins. At the time, giving birth to twins was considered unusual. Only animals could give birth to multiple offspring who looked the same. As such, Oshun was labeled a witch and was sent into exile. In fear, Oshun delivered her Ibejí at home and abandoned her children, sending her into a spiral of depression and loss of stability and wealth. The Ibejí were then adopted by Oya, who herself was unable to have children.
Although considered and depicted as children or child-like, Ibejí are not children. They are powerful spirits who appear in the guide of children. They are healers, especially of mental disorders, rescuing endangered children, and comforting the surviving twin who lost a sibling.
In Latin America, Ibejí are syncretized with Saints Cosmas and Damian (September 27).
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References:
The Afro-Cuban Orisha Pantheon
