Nigeria's 'twins capital' hosts annual festival to celebrate multiple births: Video
Igbo-Ora, Nigeria’s self-proclaimed "twins capital of the world," has once again celebrated its unique status with the annual World Twins Festival, attracting families and visitors to honour the town's unusually high rate of multiple births.
A 30-year-old mother of twins, Suliat Mobolaji shared with the AFP how giving birth to twins has transformed her life. "This is my first time having twins, and it has changed my life. People give us gifts, and sometimes riders even give us free rides. Twins bring blessings," she said, noting the belief that local delicacies, like the "Ilasa soup," contribute to the high twin birth rate. However, Mobolaji believes the phenomenon is a gift from God.
Taiwo Oguntoye, the 39-year-old organiser of the festival, explained the cultural significance of twins in Yoruba tradition. "Twins bring favour, fame, and wealth to their parents in unique ways. In Yorubaland, we celebrate their birth, which might be why we have the highest number of twins in the world," he said.
Oguntoye also emphasised the strong bond shared by twins, describing it as a destiny beyond their control.
A visiting traditional king from Ogun State, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle expressed his belief that the festival has global potential. "By the grace of God, I believe this festival will soon attract twins from all over the world to Nigeria, to Igbo-Ora, to celebrate themselves," he said.
The festival’s organisers are planning to host the world's largest gathering of twins next year, hoping to build a dedicated "twins village."
