10th of Oct is the World Twins Festival in Igbo Ora. Oyo state I attended it was a great event I’m sure to be there next year.
As promised, I attended the Odun Ibeji in Igbo Ora, which is a big town in Ibarapa Local Govt of Oyo State. It consists of 7 quarters: Igangan, Eruwa, Aiyete, Tapa, Idere, Igbo-Ora, and Lanlat, each big town in their own right.
It is widely recognised as the place with the most recorded multiple births in the world.
Sat was the culmination of a week of festivities. There was the unveiling of a new bronze statue of Iya Ibeji, Mother of twins
There were age group competitions for the best age group twins, masquerades, lots of music, & merriment.
Due to transport problems, I got there late, but I urge you to watch the video link below 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾. There were quadruplets from China and twins from Canada and other parts of the world.
The Alafin of Oyo was there to celebrate the uniqueness of twin births. Next year is set to be bigger & better.
I’ve eaten Ilasa, and I bought some Igbora Yam. My family is already blessed with twins. It’s a good thing the Yoruba celebrate twins. There are other communities in Nigeria that used to kill their twins because they thought multiple births were a bad omen. Thankfully, Mary Slessor stopped that evil practice.
I saw many twins, and I celebrate God’s gift to man. Make sure you come to Igbo Ora if you want to have twins. You can find a twin husband or wife and eat ilasa, which is a local delicacy made from okra leaves and ground melon seeds, or eat the famous Igbo Ora yam.
There was a massive downpour of rain last night on our way back to Abeokuta. Many people left early as there are inadequate hotel facilities in Igbo Ora. This is a big business opportunity ahead of next year. I see this festival being as big as Notting Hill, Brazil, & Trinidad Carnivals. Let’s embrace it and make it one of our major tourist events.
I’m going back to my farm to see whether they have completed the rest of the clearing, planted the cassava properly, and brought all the sweet potato vines.
What’s your view? Please.share thanks
Femi Oke Betta9ja
