Igbo-Ora: The Mysterious Town Of Twins

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9 May 2024

Igbo-Ora, a small town in the southwestern part of Nigeria, is famously known as the ''Twin capital of the world''


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The town has gained widespread attention for having a remarkably high rate of twin births


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According to local chief Jimoh Titiloye, every family in the city is said to have a pair of twins or even multiple births


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As per a study by a UK doctor, there were 50 sets of twins in every 1000 births, making it one of the highest twin birth rates ever recorded


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For the past 12 years, the community has organized an annual festival to celebrate twins


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However, there is no proven scientific evidence or explanation for this strange phenomenon


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Local beliefs attribute it to a traditional dish called Amala, prepared from yam flour


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A gynecologist suggested that Amala might contain high levels of certain hormones that lead to what is known as multiple ovulation


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Some locals also say it is because of a dish called 'ilasa', made from okra leaves


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Another theory suggests that the high rate of twinning is genetic, and there may be a gene that is unique to the people in the community


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