ABSTRACT
Twin birth is a fearful event to the Nyakyusa. Ilipasa is commonly used to mean 'twins', 'twin birth', but it is more accurately translated as 'abnormal birth', for it is used of a child born feet foremost (unsolola) as well as for any multiple birth, and the same ritual is performed whatever the type of ilipasa. Twins and their parents, the fearful ones, and other people who have been treated with medicines, eat first-fruits of millet, beans and pumpkin with medicines. The overt purpose of the twin ritual is plain to all Nyakyusa. Twin birth is thought to be contagious, causing other twin births, and also to make men and cattle ill. The ritual is to prevent this. Mwambelike, a middle-aged pagan, was explicit on the point: People are afraid to go to the house of a man with twins. The parents of twins have been singled out by Kyala or Mbasi and therefore remain somewhat fearful all their lives.
