Igbo Ora, a town 80 kilometers from Lagos, Nigeria, is easily the twin capital of the world: unconfirmed estimates from the town say it boasts a mind-blowing 158 sets of twins for every 1,000 live births.
Twins, the birth of two offspring from the same pregnancy, is a relatively uncommon phenomenon, and as such, twins are often regarded as special.
According to a study published around 2011 in the US National Library of Medicine, the birth rate of twins varies significantly across different regions and countries. Latin America and Southeast Asia exhibit the lowest rates, with only approximately 9 sets of twins per every 1,000 births. In Europe, the figure rises to around 16 twins per 1,000 births, and in the United States, it reaches about 33 twins per 1,000 births. Central Africa falls within a range of 18 to 30 sets of twins for every 1,000 births.
Interestingly, the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria stand out as having the highest number of twin births globally, with approximately 50 sets of twins for every 1,000 live births. Among the Yoruba people, one particular town has gained recognition for surpassing all others in terms of twin births.
Igbo Ora, situated 80 kilometers from Lagos, is renowned as the twin capital of the world. Though unconfirmed, estimates from the town suggest an astonishing statistic of 158 sets of twins for every 1,000 live births. The town’s remarkable reputation for such a high rate of twins has garnered attention and fascination from around the globe, making it a unique and intriguing phenomenon in the field of human demographics.
At the entrance to Igbo-Ora, a town located in southwest Nigeria, a grand plinth stands proudly, proclaiming its esteemed reputation as “the land of twins.” This small town has earned its nickname as the Twin Capital of the World due to an unusually high number of twin births. A youth corps member, who served in the area, marvels at the prevalence of twins, noting that virtually every home in the town has at least one set, with some households even having four or five sets of twins.
While no concrete link between dietary intake and twin births has been scientifically proven, a research study at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital suggests that the consumption of a particular type of yam, containing a natural phytoestrogen, might play a role in stimulating a woman’s ovaries to release eggs from both sides, potentially leading to multiple births. The locals of Igbo-Ora attribute their remarkable occurrence of twin births to their staple diet, which prominently includes the leaf of an okra plant and yam.
Although the community firmly believes in the connection between their dietary practices and twin births, the scientific community is cautious about drawing conclusive evidence from this. While the town’s reputation as a hub of twins remains awe-inspiring, scientific validation regarding the influence of dietary factors on multiple births requires further research and investigation. Nonetheless, the intriguing phenomenon of Igbo-Ora continues to capture the curiosity and fascination of many.
Modified on March, 2024
