Meet African tribe who feed, bathe and even talk to their dead children

 Benin: An African tribe is 'raising' effigies of its dead children as if they were still alive - feeding them, putting them to bed and sending them to school.

The Fon tribe of Benin, West Africa, has a high infant mortality rate and multiple births are not uncommon with as many as one in 20 pregnancies resulting in twins .

Sadly however, many die from childhood diseases and malaria and as twins are held in such high regard in Benin, when one or both children pass away, the tribe create a small statue, called a hohovi, in their honour.

The child's spirit is believed to inhabit the wooden doll and the carefully sculpted figurines are treated almost exactly like living children, they are fed, bathed, taken to school and put to sleep by their parents.

It is thought if they're mistreated they will put evil curses on the family, whereas if they're looked after they will bring the family joy and good luck.

In this series of stunning pictures, French photographer, Eric Lafforgue, documents the intriguing life of the Fon tribe.

He said: "Three months after the birth of twins, if they are still living, the parents go to collect gifts from other members of their community.

"If one or both of the twins die, then the mother carries the statues around between her breasts and walks around with a tray on her head, receiving alms for the twins. All donate some money or food."

In Bopa, southern Benin, Eric met Dah Tofa and his wife Hounyoga, who have had nine children including a set of twins who sadly passed away.

Eric said: "Hounyoga entered her house and reemerged with two statues dressed in colorful cloth. She introduced me to her two deceased twins, Zinsou, the male, and Zinhoue, the female.

"She spoke about them in the present tense, as if they were still alive. She delicately sat them on miniature iron chairs around our table.

"It was around noon and she told me that it was time for their lunch. Seeing my skepticism, she said: "The hohovis must be fed every day. They get hungry just like us."

"She served them a large plate of beans soaked in red palm oil. The food was accompanied with water and carbonated beverages. She told me the twins loved Fanta and Coca-Cola.

"Once night fell, the statues were disrobed and put to bed. Hounyoga's gestures were slow and full of motherly tenderness.

"The juxtaposition between the twins' sleeping arrangement and that of their parents was remarkable.

"The twins' bed was made up of a straw mat and a clean white sheet. Their parents on the other hand was a filthy mattress covered by an old mosquito net. In the Fon culture, the best is always reserved for the twins.

"The next day, she invited me to observe their morning ritual. Hounyoga bathed the twins as if they were living children.

"Some hohovis display very pronounced signs of use, especially the fading or disappearance of facial features, a result of being washed regularly.

"Hounyoga gave the twins their weekly bath in Lake Aheme. Not to clean them, but to rid them of evil spirits. Hounyoga scrubbed them with a vegetable sponge and soap.

"She then dried them off and sprayed them with a bit of perfume before putting their clothes back on.

"If the matriarch of the family does not have time to take care of the twins, then the patriarch must fulfill these duties. If both parents are busy, then the statues are dropped off at a nursery.

"Before entering the sacred sanctuary of the nursery, I had to take off my shoes. Tens of statues adorned in colorful clothing were placed all around. The high number of hohovis is a testament to the high infant mortality rate.

"The whole family must look after the twins, far more so than if they were living. The brothers and sisters that the deceased leave behind must do their part as well. In no instance will they ever use the hohovis as toys, despite their resemblance to dolls."