Igbo-Ora, The Home of Twins in Nigeria
In Yorubaland, Twins are called Ibeji and they are believed to have spiritual powers to transform the fortune of their parents and households. There are two types of twins, identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic).
Biologically, identical twins are conceived when one fertilized egg or ovum splits and develops into two babies with similar genetic information while fraternal twins are conceived when two eggs are fertilized by two sperms, hence producing two genetically different children. Several factors such as genetics, mother’s age, Race/ethnicity and frequency of pregnancies can influence the likelihood of a couple conceiving or giving birth to twins.
In terms of genetics, families that have had twins in the past may continue to give birth to twins. Also, women release more than one egg during ovulation when they are over 30 which can result in fraternal twins. This is also the case of women who have had multiple pregnancies.
The early 90s saw a rise in the births of twins due to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, however, prior to medical interventions, there is a community in Nigeria, known as Igbo-Ora where the birth of Twins is a common occurrence, so much so that more than half of the town either knows a Twin or is himself or herself a Twin. This high rate of Twins conception is as a result of Race or Genetics. Twins who marry Twins often give birth to Twins. Communities with larger population of twins also exists in India (Kodinji) and Brazil (Cândido Godói) but they do not compare with that of Igbo-Ora.
Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Nigeria
Located in Ibarapa Central Local Government, in Oyo state, Igbo Ora is dubbed the Twins Capital of the world due to the unusually high rate of twin births. The quiet town has seen its population doubled over the years and has experience an influx of tourists, researchers, journalists both local and foreign who are either curious about what was responsible for the phenomenon or to see things for themselves.
Igbo Ora town is largely rural but also the capital of the Ibarapa Central local government. The major occupation in region is farming, commerce and production of arts and crafts as well as other industries in the informal sector of the economy such as wood carving, tailoring, shoemaking and many others. The last census of 2006 reported the town’s population to be 72, 207 people but it is estimated to be 278,514 people as at 2017. They are predominantly Yoruba people and they believed in the worship of Orisas (Deities), Christianity and Islam.
Different sources have cited diets, genetics and cultural activities has variables that may be responsible for the high rates of twins in Igbo-Ora. Research attributed to the Lagos teaching Hospital suggested that the presence of phytoestrogen in Yam peeling may be responsible for women in Igbo-Ora conceiving twins because it behaves similarly to estrogen which may increase the likelihood of twins’ conception. However, the people of Igbo Ora according to Omonkhua et al. (2020) believed that local delicacy of Okra leaves, Abelmoschus esculenta (Ilasa) and Amala Isu (Yam Flour) is responsible for their growing Twins population. Additionally, genetics and twins marrying twins may also be another influential factor. Also, the cultural significance of twins’ birth and the subsequent celebrations may have contributed to the perception that Igbo-Ora has a large twins’ community.
Cultural Importance and Significance of Twins in Yoruba Land
The Yoruba cultural beliefs placed a huge importance on the birth of twins across their land in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. This is evident in the name of one of their deities, Orisa Ibeji, also in one of their numerous Praise Poems known as Oriki, they have an Oriki for Ibeji which goes as thus;
Oriki Ibeji (Praise Poetry)
Ẹ̀jìrẹ́ ará ìṣokún.
Ẹdúnjobí
Ọmọ ẹdun tíí ṣeré orí igi
Ọ́-bẹ́-kẹ́ṣé-bẹ́-kàṣà,
Ó fẹsẹ̀ méjèèjì bẹ sílé alákìísa;
Ó salákìísà donígba aṣọ.
Gbajúmọ̀ ọmọ tíí gbàkúnlẹ̀ ìyá,
Tíí gbàdọ̀bálẹ̀ lọ́wọ́ baba tó bí í lọ́mọ.
Wínrinwínrin lójú orogún
Ejìwọ̀rọ̀ lojú ìyá ẹ̀.
Tani o bi ibeji ko n’owo?
Translation
Every Twins hail from Isokun.
A relative of monkeys you are
Hoping and jumping from a tree branch to the other
Jumping helter-skelter, you landed in a wretched man’s place
Turning around his misfortunes
A rare set of children that commands undue honor and respect from their parents
To your stepmother, you are an unwelcome sight
But to your mother, you are both emperors of two empires!
Wouldn’t you love to be parents to twins?
The Yoruba cultural beliefs and traditions concerning Twins are many and are still in practice in Igbo-Ora. These practices include naming of the twins, paying obeisance to the Twins’ Deity (Orisa Ibeji), cooking of beans during the christening as well as specific burial rites and rituals that must be exercised if either of the twins died.
In Yorubaland, twins have general name aside from other names given to them by their parents. They are called Taiye and Kehinde. Taiye or Taiyewo, means “the first to taste the World”, while Kehinde means “the one who falls behind.” Idowu is the name of any child born after twins, it means “to swell.” If a twin dies at birth, the surviving twin will be called Dimeji which means “become two.”
Carving of the deceased twin sculpture, “Ere Ibeji” will be made to symbolize the deceased twin and are kept in a sacred shrine in the family home to honor and remember the twin who has passed away. This tradition is no longer in vogue due to modernity, religious beliefs and many other factors. Twins and the deity of Twins, “Orisha Ibeji” are believed to have powers of fertility, prosperity, avenger, detector of thieves, and rainmaker.
The 2023 World Twins Festival held at Methodist Grammar School Field, Igbo-Ora, Oyo State on the 14th of October, featured few of the cultural practices of the Yoruba people when it comes to Twins. For instance, Beans prepared at the palace of the King, the Olu of Igbo-Ora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye was served at the occasion along with other meals. Also, the event featured twins from different households wearing distinctive regalia unique to their clans/households as part of the celebrations. However, there was a general uniform for twin households who did have not have unique uniforms for certain reasons. The World’s twin Day holds every year around the months of September or October. The event was attended by royal fathers and notable dignitaries including the Governors of both Oyo and Osun state, Engr. Seyi Makinde and Senator Ademola Adeleke in an effort to boost the tourism potentials of the annual celebrations. The event was organized by the people of Igbo-Ora in collaboration with the Twins World Creations. The event featured cultural dances, twins’ parade, talent show and poetry also known “Oriki” praising the attributes of twins.
Twins have brought popularity and fame to Igbo-Ora. The Uniqueness of the Yoruba cultural disposition towards Twins has gained so much interest online in recent times, thus making Igbo-Ora shine locally and internationally. The quiet town is fast becoming a popular destination for those intrigued by the cultural and biological aspects of twinning, making the World’s Twins Festival a notable event that draws visitors seeking a unique and enriching experience.
Footnote: Isokun was described as a town near Port Novo (Dahomey), although Isokun is not Yoruba land but the ‘first Twins’ were born to two Yoruba couple who were Traders from Oyo Kingdom. However, other accounts claimed that the town was near Ile-Ife, Shaki, Iseyin, Abeokuta and other areas. (Chappel, T. J. H. (1974). The Yoruba cult of twins in historical perspective. Africa, 44(3), 250–265. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/1158392.pdf)
Omonkhua, A. A., Okonofua, F. E., Ntoimo, L. F. C., Aruomaren, A. I., Adebayo, A. M., & Nwuba, R. (2020). Community perceptions on causes of high dizygotic twinning rate in Igbo-Ora, South-west Nigeria: A qualitative study. PloS one, 15(12), e0243169. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243169
