The Fascinating World of Yoruba Twins (Ibeji): Myths, Names, and Custom Rituals

“Oh My God, are they twins?”

The popular question is expressed with astonishment when one sees two humans who look very similar, especially of the same sex, possibly even wearing identical clothing. Yet, as fascinating as it is, twin births are not as rare as you probably think; one in every twelve Nigerian is a twin ¹.

Twin children are respected and admired in many cultures worldwide, symbolising balance and duality (Yin/Yang). Particularly in West Africa, from the Yoruba people of Nigeria to the Ashanti of Ghana, twins are revered and celebrated. Twin births are often seen as a special blessing, and many believe twin children bestow joy, abundance and prosperity on their family.

Our father (baba ibeji) often speaks about how his non-functioning caterpillar started operating right after we were born – which he believed was a good omen saying we brought good fortune upon him!

Like many twin children, we grew up feeling special – a sentiment that continues into adulthood. People tend to lovingly gravitate towards us, showering us affection and favour in various forms such as gifts, monetary gestures, and networking opportunities. In addition, we enjoy the unique perks of the Yoruba culture twins in Nigeria can relate to, such as soulful songs of praise, “oriki ibeji”, and special twin food, among others. These traditional practices have been passed down from generation to generation, like a beloved heirloom.

Interestingly, twins run in families; our parents have twin siblings, and twin cousins aren’t a rarity in our family tree. If you have a close relative with twins, you are more likely to have twins; however, it’s important to note that only fraternal (non-identical) twins are hereditary, not identical twins. Although we are non-identical twins, our strong resemblance – often accentuated by our preference for matching outfits – might suggest otherwise.

What Are Twins Called In Yoruba?

Naming Culture

In the Yoruba tradition, twins are called “ibeji” (ibi: birth; eji: two). At birth, they receive a pre-ordained name, “orúko àmútọ̀runwá,” based on their order of arrival into the world. For example, the first-born twin is Taiwo, which translates to “taste the world”; the second twin, Kehinde, translates to ‘arriving after the other’. These pre-destined twin names are regardless of the gender of the child.

Other Common Variations Of Taiwo And Kehinde

Táyé, Tái, Táyéwò, Táíyé, Táiyélolú

Kẹ́yìndé, Ọmọ́kẹhìndé, Kenny

In addition, Yoruba people have various nicknames for twins, like our brand name “Ejire Okin” and others such as “Èjìrẹ́” and “Edúnjobí”. Ejima is another twin nickname we are familiar with, popular among the Igbo people of Nigeria.

Extension Of Pre-ordained Naming

The gift of pre-ordained names extends to children born after twins but not those before them. We are the last of four kids, so our older siblings do not have any “special” pre-destined names.

However, we have a younger male cousin close to us, and our grandma often refers to him as our “Idowu”.

Typical names for those born after ibejis :

Idowu (Male/Female) – “One born after ibeji”

Idogbe (Male) / Alaba (Female) – “Second child after ibeji”.

Talcum powder was a trend back then; you can tell by our faces.

Yoruba Beliefs Associated With Twins

The Yoruba culture has several traditions and religious beliefs regarding twins, and one of them is the concept of seniority, which is not determined by birth order.

Why Is The Second-Born Twin The Elder Twin In Yoruba Culture?

Although Taiwo is born first, Kehinde is considered the elder twin. Yoruba people believe twins hold a spiritual order of arrival into the world. A mythical belief is that Kehinde, the second one to arrive in the world, supposedly sent Taiwo to have the first taste of what the outside world looks like and to announce their arrival. Taiwo is the curious, adventurous and carefree twin, while Kehinde is the careful, more reflective one ².

So although Sayo (Taiwo) was born first, Jomi (Kehinde) is the elder twin?.

Ibejis As Descendants Of Monkeys

According to Yoruba mythology, ibejis are believed to be descendants of monkeys. This belief profoundly influences various practices related to ibejis, including oriki—songs of praise—and taboos, such as the prohibition against consuming monkey meat. The origins of this belief stem from an old tale about a farmer from Ishokun, now known as Oyo.

Desperate to protect his crops from nearby monkeys, the farmer attempted various tactics to deter them. But the monkeys, wielding supernatural powers, remained undeterred. One of these monkeys then transformed itself, becoming a changeling in the womb of the farmer’s pregnant wife. This event triggered a series of Abiku—infants tragically destined to die shortly after birth.

In search of a resolution, the farmer consulted a seer, who advised him to make peace with the monkeys. Once the farmer ceased his attempts to eradicate the monkeys, his wife gave birth to twin babies who, unlike their predecessors, survived infancy.

Celebrations, sacrifices, and offerings were made to honour the ibeji, marking a turning point for the farmer, who became prosperous and blessed with more twin offspring ³. Today, Igbo-Ora, a town in Oyo, is officially recognized by the Guinness Book of Records for having the highest rate of twin births globally.

Cultural Evolution From Abomination To Celebration

Ibejis are believed to possess supernatural abilities that can bring good fortune and misfortune, depending on how they are treated. Their birth is often seen to represent divine favour and an indication of a unique destiny in life. Ibejis are thought to have an extraordinary spiritual power that makes them intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. In addition, they are seen as possessing a kind of magic that makes them immune to harm or danger. Various ceremonies are performed periodically to honor and protect them.

However, this reverence and love for twins was not always the case in Nigeria. In the past, twin births sparked fear and were seen as unnatural, even abominable. The Igbos, particularly, dreaded the birth of twins and considered them an abomination to be rejected and sacrificed. The late Nigerian author Chinua Achebe vividly depicts this fear in his renowned novel ‘Things Fall Apart,’ where he communicates that the Earth goddess decreed twin births to be an offence, one that must be rectified through their destruction, or the community would face consequences. Twins were forced into earthenware pots, and families of twins were compelled to abandon the infants in the ‘Evil Forest,’ a horrifying act believed necessary to protect society.

The arrival of Christian missionaries heralded a dramatic shift in these practices. Through their teaching and preaching, they ended such barbaric customs and actively saved twins and their mothers from this cycle of fear and horror⁴. Today, in Nigeria, people no longer fear twins but cherish and celebrate them. This transition marks a remarkable cultural evolution.

Yoruba Practices Associated With Ibejis

Many modern families, including ours, still perform many traditional practices associated with twins. For example, to date, our parents carry out specific sacrifices (charity) for us that involve typical twin-related food such as beans. Many practices continue to be passed down through generations, with people referring to it as a cult-like movement.

Food Sacrifice For Yoruba Twins (Ipese Ounje Ibeji)

Whilst writing this article, we called our mum (Iya Ibeji) to ask her why she, in particular, carried out those special twin rituals. She explained that it mostly has to do with her belief, explaining that it is a Yoruba tradition she grew up knowing since her mother also had ibejis.

Mum coincidentally said she was performing one the next day; she would cook Ekuru (a bean-based dish, white Moi Moi) served with a palm oil-based stew. Ekuru is actually one of our favorite dishes but we also enjoy Ewa Ibeji (Beans for twins).

Our parents perform these rituals multiple times a year, and we have also learnt to partake in them. Ritual sounds like a strong word, but it is simply feeding people experiencing poverty. This act of charity aligns with our beliefs.

When To Perform Charity For Twins?

We asked our mother when she is usually prompted to perform the twin rituals. She said she does it on our birthday every year and other times for abundance and good health. The food commonly used includes:

• Ewa (Beans)
• Epo (Palm oil)
• Adun (Savoury snack from cornmeal)
• Ireke (Sugarcane)
• Oyin (Honey)
• Ekuru (White Moi-Moi made with beans)

Our mum shared that she happily carries out the sacrifice and proceeded to praise us with one of the popular Oriki Ibeji (Twin Eulogy).

Oriki & Orin Ibeji (Eulogy & Songs Of Yoruba Twins)

In Yoruba culture, Ibejis, or twins, are often the subject of numerous songs and eulogies. An oriki is a Yoruba form of greeting that involves proclaiming a person or deity’s illustrious names, emblems, and praiseworthy attributes while recalling their deeds and exploits. This type of poetry is widespread among the Yoruba and can be performed through singing by professional bards or playing by drummers. Below we share some common oriki ibeji and what they mean in English.

Ejire ara isokun

Edunjobi oba omo

Wini wini loju orogun

Ejiworo loju iya e

Omo edun tin sere ori igi

O be kishi be keshe

Won fi ese mejeji be sile alakisa

Won so alakisa di onigba aso

Like many other languages, the task of translating poetry can be intricate, especially when the verse tightly interweaves idiomatic expressions and figures of speech. This oriki relates to the belief that twins are descendants of monkeys, possessing such power that they are revered by their parents and a cause of envy to stepmother. It also suggests that twins are born to poor people with no pedigree, and they bring wealth to that family.

Orin Ibeji

Next is a popular twin song, often sung by those in society who yearn for twins:

Epo mbe, ewa mbe o

Epo mbe, ewa mbe o

Aya mi o ja, O Ye

Aya mi o ja

Lati bi ibeji o

Epo mbe, ewa mbe o

The English translation is:

There is palm oil, there is beans

There is palm oil, there is beans,

I am not afraid,

I am not afraid,

To give birth to twins

There is palm oil, there is beans

The legendary King Sunny Ade’s song “Ejire Ara Isokun” beautifully embodies this praise. Expressing the profound happiness and blessing associated with having twins. This deep sense of joy transcends any societal challenges and provides an enchanting perspective on the cultural significance of twins in Yoruba society. Interestingly, the song mentions “Ejire Ijo l’owo,” referring to dancing, subtly hinting at another crucial cultural element – the dancing tradition linked to ibejis.

Dance As A Requirement For Ibejis

In the Yoruba religion, rooted in Ifa traditions, mothers of twins often seek consultations with a seer to ensure their twins’ survival and prosperity. Interestingly, the spirit of the twins often plays a significant role in determining the mother’s occupation. For instance, there’s a tradition of ‘onijo,’ where the nature of the ibejis requires the mother to dance with them. A drummer often accompanies the mother and twins to the market, setting a rhythmic backdrop to their synchronized dance.

Another manifestation of this tradition involves the twins requesting alms. The mother of the twins leads them to the market or main streets to ask for donations. Songs reverberating in the Yoruba language fill the air during these performances. Specifically with the rhythms of dundun and Bata drums, as well as the sekere musical instrument.

The Yoruba culture possesses a rich tapestry of captivating traditions and beliefs surrounding twins. Extending from intricate naming practices to nuanced concepts of seniority. As twins ourselves, we experience a profound connection to our heritage and take immense pride in carrying forward the traditions bequeathed to us by our ancestors.

Through this article, we sought to illuminate the fascinating world of twins in Yoruba land, Nigeria, sharing with you the enchantment, reverence, and complexities that characterize our existence. Our hope is that these insights engender a deeper understanding and foster an elevated appreciation for the unique blessings that twins bring into their families and communities. Here’s to celebrating the magic of twins – a blessing cherished, a legacy carried forward.

We are keen on celebrating and delving deep into culture at Ejire Okin, read our article on how to learn Yoruba fast with tips + audio from a native speaker or  common Nigerian slangs, how to pronounce them and what they mean.