In West African Vodun (also known as Voodoo) religion, twins are believed to be "living deities that symbolize fertility.” These children are not only worshiped by their parents but by the rest of the villagers as well. During the Voodoo New Year that takes place some time in September (doesn’t occur the same time every year), the villagers will pray to the gods that the twins “will bring blessings to the village.” Twins are also believed to live forever and are beings of divine origin. The success of the next harvest is prayed for during New Year rituals, in which the twins of the village are featured. Since twins are believed to never pass on, dolls stand in their absence. Everyday these dolls are fed and bathed along with being spoken to. They believe these people are still with them and have conversations with the dolls as if the twins are actually there.
Matalon, Lorne. “Inside Voodoo: African Cult of Twins”. April 15th, 2009. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0211_040211_twincult_2.html
Meghan Somerville
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