Twins symbolise harmony, prosperity, says Alaafin at Igbo-Ora celebration

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has emphasized the unifying power of culture and the spiritual significance of twins in Yoruba tradition during the 2025 Twins Festival held in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State.

The annual event, themed “Twinning for Youth Re-orientation and Empowerment,” was organized by the Oyo State Government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in collaboration with Ibarapa Central Local Government and TWC Intercontinental. It attracted hundreds of twins, their families, traditional rulers, and tourists from within and outside Nigeria.

Igbo-Ora, famously known as the “Twin Capital of the World,” has one of the highest twin birth rates globally, with one in every four births resulting in twins. Researchers have long studied the phenomenon, though its exact cause remains a mystery. The town, however, embraces this uniqueness as a cultural and spiritual blessing.

The festival featured colourful displays of traditional music, dances, and rituals in honour of twins and the Orisha Ibeji, the Yoruba deity symbolizing twin births. A symbolic moment came when a mother of twins presented her children to the Alaafin and his queen, Ayaba Abiwunmi, who blessed and returned them amid cheers from the excited crowd.

In his address, the Alaafin described Yoruba culture as rich, diverse, and deeply rooted in every aspect of life, from birth to leadership. He noted that twins occupy a revered position in Yoruba cosmology, being regarded as divine messengers and symbols of prosperity and good fortune within their families and communities.

Oba Owoade stressed that culture remains a vital tool for national development and should be harnessed to promote unity and growth. He said Western nations have successfully integrated their cultural systems into development strategies and urged Nigeria to do the same for sustainable progress.

The monarch also commended the Oyo State Government for its continued support in promoting cultural re-engineering and tourism through events such as the Twins Festival, which, he noted, strengthens communal identity and global recognition for Oyo State.

Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, in his remarks, said Igbo-Ora remains a unique community blessed by God, as nearly every household has at least one set of twins. He described the town as a major heritage and tourism hub that continues to showcase the cultural richness of Yorubaland.