Portrait of the priest of the Temple of Thunder during an offering to the Venavi dolls (Benin).

Twins hold a special and sacred place in the Voodoo culture in Benin.
The reverence for twins reflects a broader African belief in the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual worlds, highlighting the sacred role that twins play in their communities.
The birth of twins is considered a powerful spiritual event, as twins are thought to embody a dual spiritual force, one connected to the physical world and the other to the spiritual realm.
If one twin passes away, the family commissions a small wooden figurine called a "Venavi doll", which represents the deceased twin.
The doll is treated with care, fed, clothed, and spoken to as if it were still alive, ensuring the spirit remains within the family and brings blessings rather than misfortune.
Extensive mourning rituals are conducted to ensure their spirit transitions peacefully and the families often continue to acknowledge the deceased twin’s presence through annual remembrance ceremonies.

Date & signature on back
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