face_retouching_natural Twins
5 reasons for their sacredness
In Benin, twins (Hoho or Hohovi) are considered sacred. Why this special status? Here are 5 reasons that dive into Fon cosmology.
Biological anomaly = divine sign
In Fon thought, what is rare or unusual is sacred.
Spiritual powers
Twins have access to the invisible world:
Mandatory sacred rituals
Link to Mawu-Lisa, the divine duality
The Fon pantheon is dualistic:
Symbolic economy
Having twins = a sign of blessing and symbolic wealth:
To go further
The annual twins festival in Cotonou brings together hundreds of Beninese families to celebrate the Hohovi. It is a unique social and religious event.
A collective blessing
For the Fon, twins are at once a biological phenomenon, a divine sign and a ritual responsibility. Born as two = born chosen.
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