Killing of twins in Nigeria

Mary Slessor and four children, Old Calabar in the late 19th century

The killing of twins was a cultural practice among some ethnic groups in Nigeria, predominantly among the Efik people.[1][2] Giving birth to twins was considered a bad omen that could bring devastation or calamity upon society.[3] Twin babies were believed not to be humans,[2] and were seen as evil.[4] In some remote areas, killing of twins is believed to be a myth.[5] In the 21st century, it is believed that killing of twins as a sacrifice still exists among those living in Nigeria's federal capital territory.[3][5]

  1. ^ Imbua, David Lishilinimle (2013). "Robbing Others to Pay Mary Slessor: Unearthing the Authentic Heroes and Heroines of the Abolition of Twin-Killing in Calabar". African Economic History. 41. University of Wisconsin Press: 139–158. ISSN 0145-2258. JSTOR 43863309.
  2. ^ a b Bastian, M. L. (2001). ""The Demon Superstition": Abominable Twins and Mission Culture in Onitsha History". Ethnology. 40 (1). University of Pittsburgh- Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education: 13–27. doi:10.2307/3773886. ISSN 0014-1828. JSTOR 3773886. PMID 17650568.
  3. ^ a b Olukoya, Sam (6 November 2013). "Twin killing in Nigeria" (audio). Radio France Internationale. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  4. ^ Foundation, Thomson Reuters. "Tackling the secret killings of twins deemed evil in Nigeria". news.trust.org. Retrieved 14 September 2021. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ a b Sunday, Orji (19 January 2018). "'They ensure each twin baby dies': the secret killings in central Nigeria". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 June 2022.