Venavi Figurine

"According to Ewe belief, twins and triplets are spirit beings or demigods who have assumed human physical attributes. They are gifts to their parents from the gods Bomenor and Vodu Ese (god of destiny). Based on this belief, twins must be handled with special care so they can fufill their mission on earth. While still living, their biological parents would have to create two pots for them in their bedroom, where the parents would offer prayers for wealth, success, and gifts for the twins every day. It is taboo for any person other than the twins to take anything from those pots. Anyone who commits that offense will forever remain a thief. If the twins were ever mistreated, they could be recalled to their spiritual origin by Bomenor or Ese. Following the death of twins, the parents will commission wood sculptures to commemorate them. If one twin dies, only a single figure would be needed on the altar. Similarly, three figures will be carved for deceased triplets. As a rule of thumb, the gender of the sculptures must match that of the deceased twins or triplets."

Bibliography: Nii O. Quarcoopome, Aklama-Helper Spirits of the Ewe and Dangme, Studienstiftung Horst Antes, Karlsruhe, 2016