- In the quiet city of Igbo-Ora, life comes in pairs; everywhere on the street, there are twins
- From similar school uniforms to the most interesting World Twins Festival, this category embraces the legacy where science, culture and mystery are connected
- When they say it is because of genetics, some claim it is because of soup, but one thing is certain: in Igbo-Ora, happiness often comes twice
Any morning in Igbo-Ora, a rural city in Oyo province, a visitor may be surprised at the market seeing twins on every side.
Source: UGC
In this part of the world, seeing the recurrence is part of daily life. This city is proud to call it “the world’s twin capital.”
And it’s not just marketing: scientists and journalists have also confirmed that the birth of a twin in this category occurs at a higher rates several times than the international average.
In a YouTube video of Drew Binsky, residents explained that there is no twin family, and if the family does not have a twin, then their relatives or neighbor of course have.
Al Jazeera reports that the international average twin birth is approximately 12 out of 1,000 children, but that rate in Igbo-Ora is around 50 out of 1,000 children.
1. The Twins Festival
According to The Guardian, the unique story of this village is seen in full color during the World Twins Festival every October.
Families arrive with adorned clothing: young children with their small agbada, teenagers with similar sports shoes, even twin seniors holding hands while dancing with dance rhythms.
The festival, organized by similar twins from the city, is part of a cultural exhibition and also a return to home.
Attracts not only residents, but also twins from Nigeria And other parts of the world who come to enjoy a unique relationship they collaborate.
“It’s like a mirror every time you turn,” He says with laughter Taiwo, one of the twin university students who hit the selfie last year.
For Igbo-Ora, the festival has been not only festive, but also a tourist attraction, putting the small city on the world map.
2. The paradox of many twins
Why does this small part of Africa produce so many twins? The answer depends on the one you ask.
Most of the locals will focus on food, especially amala (food made from potato powder or cassava) eaten by Ilasa soup, a plate made from mammal leaves.
“Our mothers say the soup strengthens the womb and brings twins,” Says Kehinde, a farmer whose wife recently gave birth to twin boys.
Scientists have been impressed for a long time.
Some studies show that the chemicals found in potatoes or mammals may stimulate the production of many eggs and increase the likelihood of getting the twins that are not the same.
Some say genetic heritage has a greater chance, noting that the Yoruba tribe, which dominates the region, already has the highest levels of twins in the world.
3. Traditional beliefs about a twin
What is clear is that no single information has been confirmed. As one contraceptive told the writers,
“It is probably genetically, either food, or both-but Igbo-Ora is still a natural laboratory to understand the birth of twins.”
A part of what makes the twin appreciation here is their place in Yoruba culture. The twins, known as ìbejì, are believed to bring happiness, prosperity and protection.
The family gives them special names: the first birth is called Taiwo (“the first to taste the world”), and the second is called Kehinde (“the future”), who is strangely considered to be the biggest, being said to send Taiwo first to see if the world is safe.
Source: YouTube
4. Double happiness, double challenge
In the past, where one twin died, families often ordered small wooden statues called ère ìbejì, respected as live children, to preserve the spirit of the deceased twin.
Although unusual today, the respect for the twin still rooted in the city’s identity.
According to BBC News, behind an influential festival and cultural stories, Igbo-Ora also faces real twin challenges.
Twin pregnancies are often at greater risk, having a high risk of prenatal and problems.
Local health centers and hospitals work hard to provide reproductive and infant services, but resources are limited. However, parents here talk more about blessings than problems.
“Of course it’s not easy, raising and teaching two at the same time,” admits Ms. Taiwo, the mother of twin boys in adolescence. “But in our culture, the twins are gifts. Even if there is hard work, we can’t desire otherwise.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tajudlnasu
5. Training from the town of twins
For foreigners, Igbo-Ora is amazing, a place where human biology seems to change the principles. For people who live here, it is just at home, where life is paired.
Igbo-Ora twins have become more of a wonderful local; They are ambassadors of heritage that combines science, belief and culture.
If the secret is in the genetic, Ilasa soup, or something that has not yet been discovered, this small city reminds the world of the simple thing: that the difference can be good, and that in some parts, happiness really comes to the two.
Murang’a twins get married one day
In a completely different story, twins from Murang’a, George and Daniel, attracted Kenyans to their unique love lives.
The twins, who are pastors and singers, live in harmony, in collaboration with the same profession and expectations in love.
They previously thought of marrying twins, but eventually George and Daniel chose wives, fearing their close relationship could affect the marriages.
Read English version
Do you have an exciting information that you would like to publish? Please, contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
