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KUBWIS2018003C-KUB4858 002.jpg
NIGERIA, Gwagwalada, April 2018.
Image taken in the dormitory of the orphanage. The first chapter of the project took place in an orphanage in Gwagwalada where two missionaries started rescuing newborn children from being killed by their community.
The two girls in this picture are 2 of the 130 children living in the orphanage of which some have lost their twin brother or sister or were rejected by their community because their mother passed away during child birth.
The Vine Heritage Home Foundation is an orphanage situated in Gwagwalada, one hour drive from the Federal Capital, Abuja. It was founded by Olusola Stevens and his wife an affiliate of Christian Missionary foundation. The two missionaries created a shelter for children whose life was endangered by the infanticide practices performed by the neighbouring Bassa communities.
If a mother dies during child birth or while nursing a baby, the baby is considered evil and must therefore be buried (alive) with the deceased mother. Over 70% of the children currently living in Vine Heritage Home were rescued for this very reason. The belief that twins (multiple births) are an abomination makes them suffer a similar fate. Twins are killed shortly after birth; being left to starve, poisoned, or buried alive.
Twins and other children killing is illegal in Nigeria. The criminal code section 316 defines the conditions of the homicide. Yet, the government agents struggle to stop the practice.
In this images a purple filter is applied (on the flash-light that helps light up the scene, not in post production). To create an aesthetic language that highlights and empowers the belief that twins are “magical” and ‘supernatural’ 2 color filters (purple & red) were used, amplifying the duality of; two individuals, two photographers, two identities; two perceptions colored differently. Colors symbolising contradictory beliefs: purple for the spiritual and heavenly and red for the earthly, danger.
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NIGERIA, Igbo-Ora, October 2018.
Kehinde Quadra and Taiwo Dadrac. Twins pose for the photographers in the old city of Igbo-Ora. These identical twin sisters of fair complexion were standing side by side and shot in profile. In such a way that one seems to be the 'shadow' or the other half of the other. The physical ‘double’..
Igbo-Ora, the self proclaimed 'Twin Capital of the World' has earned its nickname by the unusually large number of twin births in the region. Research has suggested that the multiple births could be related to the (over)consumption of local crops by the women in the region of Igbo Ora. Although no direct relation between dietary intake and twin births has been proved, a research study carried out by the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has suggested that a chemical found in Igbo-Ora women and the peelings of a widely consumed tuber (yams) could be causing twins births. Another possible explanation is genetics.
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NIGERIA, Igbo-Ora, October 2018.
Two young students pose next to their house in the old city of Igbo-Ora. Due their natural movement none of their faces is visible. Meaning to draw the viewer to the metaphysical identity of the twins rather than the appeareance.
Igbo-Ora, the self proclaimed 'Twin Capital of the World' has earned its nickname by the unusually large number of twin births in the region. Research has suggested that the multiple births could be related to the (over)consumption of local crops by the women in the region of Igbo Ora. Although no direct relation between dietary intake and twin births has been proved, a research study carried out by the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has suggested that a chemical found in Igbo-Ora women and the peelings of a widely consumed tuber (yams) could be causing twins births. Another possible explanation is genetics.
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NIGERIA, Igbo-Ora, October 2018.
Kehinde Adebayo and Taiwo Ayodele. Twin pose for the photographers next to their home in the old city of Igbo-Ora.
Igbo-Ora, the self proclaimed 'Twin Capital of the World' has earned its nickname by the unusually large number of twin births in the region. Research has suggested that the multiple births could be related to the (over)consumption of local crops by the women in the region of Igbo Ora. Although no direct relation between dietary intake and twin births has been proved, a research study carried out by the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has suggested that a chemical found in Igbo-Ora women and the peelings of a widely consumed tuber (yams) could be causing twins births. Another possible explanation is genetics.
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NIGERIA, Igbo-Ora, October 2018.
Students of the Igbo - Ora High School pose for the photographers. This image pictures two schoolgirls in their uniform (red headscarf is part of it) through the window of the principles office. To create an aesthetic language that highlights and empowers the belief that twins are “magical” and ‘supernatural’ 2 color filters were used, amplifying the duality of; two individuals, two photographers, two identities; two perceptions colored differently. Colors symbolising contradictory beliefs: purple for the spiritual and heavenly and red for the earthly, danger.
Igbo-Ora, the self proclaimed 'Twin Capital of the World' has earned its nickname by the unusually large number of twin births in the region. Research has suggested that the multiple births could be related to the (over)consumption of local crops by the women in the region of Igbo Ora. Although no direct relation between dietary intake and twin births has been proved, a research study carried out by the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has suggested that a chemical found in Igbo-Ora women and the peelings of a widely consumed tuber (yams) could be causing twins births. Another possible explanation is genetics.
KUBWIS2018003C-14.10.18_2__798_001.jpg
NIGERIA, Igbo-Ora, October 2018.
Twins stand on a little monticule at the end of a celebration day at the Celestial Church on a rainy season afternoon. The identical twin sisters are dressed all in white, bare foot, as the Celestial church proscribes.
Igbo-Ora, the self proclaimed 'Twin Capital of the World' has earned its nickname by the unusually large number of twin births in the region. Research has suggested that the multiple births could be related to the (over)consumption of local crops by the women in the region of Igbo Ora. Although no direct relation between dietary intake and twin births has been proved, a research study carried out by the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has suggested that a chemical found in Igbo-Ora women and the peelings of a widely consumed tuber (yams) could be causing twins births. Another possible explanation is genetics.
In this images a purple filter is applied (on the flash, not in post production). To create an aesthetic language that highlights and empowers the belief that twins are “magical” and ‘supernatural’ 2 color filters (purple & red) were used, amplifying the duality of; two individuals, two photographers, two identities; two perceptions colored differently. Colors symbolising contradictory beliefs: purple for the spiritual and heavenly and red for the earthly, danger.
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NIGERIA, Gwagwalada, April 2018.
Twins play with a mirror. Favour mirroring Favourite.
We photographed with a conceptual approach in mind; for example playing with the idea of twins being eachothers reflection or shadow and anticipating situations in reality that could serve these ideas. We documented Favour and Favourite playing with this mirror on the orphanage's playground; one of them holding up the mirror for her identical twin sister spinning (her skirt) around while looking at her own reflection.
The Vine Heritage Home Foundation is an orphanage situated in Gwagwalada, one hour drive from the Federal Capital, Abuja. It was founded by Olusola Stevens and his wife an affiliate of Christian Missionary foundation. The two missionaries created a shelter for children whose life was endangered by the infanticide practices performed by the neighbouring Bassa communities.
If a mother dies during child birth or while nursing a baby, the baby is considered evil and must therefore be buried (alive) with the deceased mother. Over 70% of the children currently living in Vine Heritage Home were rescued for this very reason. The belief that twins (multiple births) are an abomination makes them suffer a similar fate. Twins are killed shortly after birth; being left to starve, poisoned, or buried alive.
Twins and other children killing is illegal in Nigeria. The criminal code section 316 defines the conditions of the homicide. Yet, the government agents struggle to stop the practice.
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NIGERIA, Gwagwalada, April 2018.
A child plays with the laundry drying in the sun.
‘’The twin, in Yoruba beliefs, stands for the idea of a human being having a spiritual counterpart, an unborn spirit double. In case of twins the spiritual double has been born on earth -while the twin-soul usually resides in the heavens. ‘Ibeji’ meaning ‘double birth’ in Yoruba language, refers to the inseparable two; the prenatal bond of an individual and her/his spirit double; a bond testifying ultimate unity; one cannot be without the other. A twin is not supposed to be portrayed without their 'second half' 'ibeji'. This faceless portrait of a child playing behind a dress on the washing line is a symbolic hommage to twins in the orphanage who's second half passed away.''
The Vine Heritage Home Foundation is an orphanage situated in Gwagwalada, one hour drive from the Federal Capital, Abuja. It was founded by Olusola Stevens and his wife an affiliate of Christian Missionary foundation. The two missionaries created a shelter for children whose life was endangered by the infanticide practices performed by the neighbouring Bassa communities.
If a mother dies during child birth or while nursing a baby, the baby is considered evil and must therefore be buried (alive) with the deceased mother. Over 70% of the children currently living in Vine Heritage Home were rescued for this very reason. The belief that twins (multiple births) are an abomination makes them suffer a similar fate. Twins are killed shortly after birth; being left to starve, poisoned, or buried alive.
Twins and other children killing is illegal in Nigeria. The criminal code section 316 defines the conditions of the homicide. Yet, the government agents struggle to stop the practice.
KUBWIS2018003C-054.jpg
NIGERIA, Igbo-Ora, October 2018.
Showing us around on a rock with little natural pools -close to their village- these identical twin brothers were looking in the water, one of them moving the water with his hand (cropped out of the image) the reflection of his face being distorted by the movement of the water.
Igbo-Ora, the self proclaimed 'Twin Capital of the World' has earned its nickname by the unusually large number of twin births in the region. Research has suggested that the multiple births could be related to the (over)consumption of local crops by the women in the region of Igbo Ora. Although no direct relation between dietary intake and twin births has been proved, a research study carried out by the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has suggested that a chemical found in Igbo-Ora women and the peelings of a widely consumed tuber (yams) could be causing twins births. Another possible explanation is genetics.
KUBWIS2018003C-051.jpg
NIGERIA, Igbo-Ora, October 2018.
In this picture identical twin brothers are copy eachothers body language by a pond on a mountain close to their village in front of a rainy season sky about to burst out in a lightning storm.
Igbo-Ora, the self proclaimed 'Twin Capital of the World' has earned its nickname by the unusually large number of twin births in the region. Research has suggested that the multiple births could be related to the (over)consumption of local crops by the women in the region of Igbo Ora. Although no direct relation between dietary intake and twin births has been proved, a research study carried out by the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has suggested that a chemical found in Igbo-Ora women and the peelings of a widely consumed tuber (yams) could be causing twins births. Another possible explanation is genetics.