In Yoruba culture, twins (Ìbejì) are celebrated as sacred gifts from God. The Yoruba people consider twins to be the kings of children, often referring to them as “ọba ọmọ” — with “ọba” meaning king and “ọmọ” meaning child.
I wrote a detailed post on the myths, names, and rituals surrounding Yoruba twins — one of our most-read blog posts — where I highlight how twins are honored through special songs, eulogies, and foods.
In this post, we’ll focus specifically on the foods related to Yoruba twins, known as oúnjẹ Ìbejì — such as Èkuru, Àádùn, Ìréké, Oyin, and Ẹ̀wà. These foods are not only central to twin-related celebrations but are also deeply rooted in Yoruba spirituality.
For example, devotees of deities like Yemọja often include these same foods in their ritual offerings 1 — a reflection of twins’ sacredness and symbolic power within the culture.
Let’s explore Yoruba twin foods like Ẹ̀wà Ìbejì and other culturally significant dishes that honor the sacred place of twins in Yoruba culture.
Ẹ̀wà Ìbejì: A Staple Among Yoruba Twin Foods
As Yoruba twins, one of my earliest memories of feeling special within our family was through the meals our mother, Ìyá Ìbejì, would lovingly prepare just for us.
Ẹ̀wà Ìbejì is the most prominent food associated with Yoruba twins. Beans carry deep cultural meaning — often seen as a symbol of abundance, nourishment, and communal unity. During twin naming ceremonies and other celebrations, it’s common for Yoruba families to cook beans in different styles: some prepare it with corn, others as a porridge, and some plain, served with an accompanying sauce.
Each preparation carries the same intention: to honor the gift of twins and to celebrate the blessings they bring to the community.
Èkuru (Òfúlójú Funfun)
Èkuru, otherwise known as Òfúlójú Funfun, is not as widely known today, but it holds an important place in Yoruba culinary tradition (and is sometimes included in twin and deity celebrations for its symbolic purity).
In many ways, Èkuru can be considered the “half-sister” of Mọ́ínmọ́ín. Both dishes are made from beans that are soaked, ground into a paste, and traditionally wrapped in ewé eéran (Thaumatococcus leaves).
However, while Mọ́ínmọ́ín is richly flavoured with ingredients like peppers, fish, eggs, and seasonings, Èkuru is made with just one simple ingredient — beans. The result is a beautifully pure, white bean cake that is typically eaten with a rich, spicy sauce made from palm oil, fish, crayfish, and may include a variety of meats, locally referred to as “oríshíríshí.”
Palm Oil (Epo Pupa)
Palm oil, known as Epo Pupa in Yoruba, is an essential element in both cooking and traditional ceremonies. It is not eaten on its own; rather, it forms the rich, flavorful base of many sauces, including those used to accompany twin-associated dishes like Ẹ̀wà Ìbejì and Èkuru.
In Yoruba naming ceremonies, palm oil carries symbolic meaning beyond the kitchen. A small amount is often touched to the lips of the baby 2, accompanied by prayers for a smooth and easy life — a heartfelt wish for a future filled with grace, protection, and prosperity.
Sugarcane (ìrèké)
Sugarcane, or Ìrèké in Yoruba, is one of the sweet, symbolic foods commonly associated with twins. Naturally juicy and satisfying — (this is why I love sugarcane juice so much!) — it is often presented during twin celebrations and ceremonies as a sign of sweetness, ease, and joyful living.
Twins are often given sugarcane to chew — a simple but meaningful gesture, accompanied by prayers that their lives will be long, sweet, and free from bitterness. Offering sugarcane becomes a way to speak a blessing — a wish that life will reflect the sweetness carried in each bite.
Honey (Oyin)
Honey, or Oyin in Yoruba, is a sacred substance across many cultures — a symbol of purity, healing, and sweetness. In various spiritual traditions, honey is used in rituals and prayers to anoint, bless, and sweeten the path ahead. From traditional African religions to Abrahamic faiths, honey has long been regarded as a spiritual item for favour and ease.
In Yoruba culture, honey is given to twins during naming ceremonies or prayers — either touched to their lips or included in offerings — as a symbolic blessing. It represents a prayer that the twins’ lives will be sweet, that they will bring healing to communities, and live free from bitterness.
Much like sugarcane, Oyin speaks a wish through the taste of sweetness — a quiet hope for a life filled with goodness and grace.
To learn more about the health and cultural power of honey, read our full post on the benefits of raw honey.
Àádùn
Àádùn is another twin-related snack made from maize flour, often mixed with pepper, palm oil, honey, and salt — a blend that creates a crumbly, slightly spicy, and sweet treat. It’s a street snack, a ritual offering, and a celebratory food all in one.
My mum always says the best Àádùn comes from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State — and she’s right. There’s something deeply nostalgic and undeniably tasty about it. In the context of twins, Àádùn is more than just a snack; it symbolises joy, abundance, and shared celebration. It is often prepared and distributed during twin ceremonies as a way to spread happiness within the family and the wider community.
Why Yoruba Twin Foods Are More Than Just Meals
These foods aren’t just part of tradition — they are part of real family moments. Our parents often prepare many of these dishes for us on our birthday annually, and sometimes at other times when praying for abundance or good health.
What I love most about oúnjẹ Ìbejì (Yoruba twin foods) is the community built around it. I remember one of those moments clearly — stepping outside to see women cooking in large pots over firewood (commonly called Alásè, meaning the lead cooks or those in charge of the meal) while my mum helped serve Ẹ̀wà Ìbejì into takeaway containers to be shared. As they did the somewhat taxing job, they sang beautiful songs about twins. Everyone joined in — even those with no personal connection to twins.
As Yorùbá people, we take pride in keeping our culture alive — maintaining traditions and passing them on through food, music, and memory.
If you’d like to explore more about Yoruba twins — including the stories, names, and rituals — read our full post here. It’s one of our most personal and loved blog posts.
