ST After delivering twins at the age of 30, she has recently welcomed another pair of twins a decade later. ST

A decade after my initial pair of twins, one of each gender, I am fortunate, glad, and honored to have five cherished offspring. I pray that all women who continue to hope and await multiple miracles can also experience this happiness. My eldest child, named Joy, is a testament to this. I was blessed with two sons at the age of 30 and a pair of twins at 40. My gratitude goes out to our Heavenly Father. This was stated by Margrethe.

Twins, a member of the Yorba tribe in Africa, has just given birth to twins. The Yorba, originating from Nigeria, consider twins to be a jubilant event and frequently celebrate it. This tribe often has a higher twin birth rate.

Twins, more than one offspring from a single pregnancy, are relatively uncommon and hence are seen as special. The twinning rate differs globally. Latin America and Southeast Asia have the lowest rates, while Europe’s rate doubles, and the USA sees twice that number.

In central Africa, the numbers increase to around 18-30 twin sets per 1,000 births. However, the Yoruba people from southwest Nigeria have the highest twin birth rates globally; the count reaches up to 50 twin sets per 1,000 live births.

In Yorubaland, a particular town, Igbo Ora, claims to have the highest multiple birth rates worldwide. It is often referred to as the twin capital of the world due to its astounding 158 twin sets per 1,000 live births.

Upon entering the town, visitors are greeted with a monumental welcome sign that proudly declares their reputation as “the land of twins.”

Researchers propose the consumption of a specific yam, rich in natural phytoestrogen, may be a potential cause for the high twin birth rates. The residents, however, credit their high twin population to their staple diet, mainly consisting of yams and okra leaves.

In a 2013 interview, a community leader explained, “Our diets, rich in okra leaves or Ilasa soup and yams, iNFLuence the prevalence of multiple births.” Twins are a frequent sight at Igbo Ora, and the locals believe that a woman who consumes okra leaves, locally known as ewe ilasa, is likely to give birth to twins. This twin phenomenon in the town was explored by Taiwo Abiodun.

READ ALSO: After Six Years of Infertility, a Nigerian Couple Welcomed Triplets Three Years After Adopting a Girl