Igbo Culture - Twin Killing

Twin Killing

Before the rise of Christianity in Igboland during the late 19th century and early 20th century, the Igbo considered the birth of twins (and other multiple births), like neighboring groups such as the Ibibio, as against nature and inherently evil. Multiple births were believed to be only what animals should produce, and humans were believed to be meant for single births. The reason behind this belief may have been that, because it was a rare occurrence, it was considered wrong.

The community generally killed twins by abandonment in the community's evil forest, or by direct attack. After the birth, the mother of the twins went through cleansing rituals to purify her from the birth. This practice has ended. This practice has no recorded history (neither oral nor written), so it is subject to controversy.