Pearline Simpette

In Yoruba society, twins hold special spiritual meaning and their birth is held as a time for great praise. The first twin is traditionally called Taiwo, which means “having the first taste of the world.” The second twin is called Kehinde, meaning “arriving after the other.” While Taiwo may have come first, Kehinde is said to be the older of the two twins: after Taiwo is born, and assesses the scene on Earth with a curious worldview, Kehinde is able to come into the world with a more careful and intellectual presence. Three days after the birth of twins, a local Ifa priest will visit them, dispelling any evil spirits that surround the twins and advising their mother on how to best care for them: the clothing they should wear, foods they should eat, and even animals they should avoid.

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It is believed that twins share a soul, and that if one of them dies a significant imbalance is created for the other. Ibeji are often applied here as small, carved wooden figures created to sub in for the deceased twin. Said to bring prosperity, blessings, and protection to those who care for their wooden figures, Ibeji also represent duality and the importance of life, love, and ancestry.

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When watched in tandem, both films raise questions around reparations: What are we owed? What do we owe? How do we get it? As an offering to Ibeji, how can we protect what is sacred about our culture, our bodies, and our homes?

Queen of the Damned (2002) The Vampire Lestat (2026)

Donald Trump gets attacked by an eagle.