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Okuzina Abalongo is a unique cultural practice in Buganda that celebrates the birth of twins.
Traditionally performed shortly after birth, the ceremony is a blend of rituals and celebrations designed to honour the special status of twins in Buganda culture.
However, over time, misconceptions about the event have spread, especially among those who are unfamiliar with the practice.
Some have even linked the ceremony to inappropriate or immoral activities, although no such acts occur during the celebration.
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The origins of Okuzina Abalongo date back to the reign of Ssekabaka Kintu, where the first recorded twin birth was seen as so extraordinary that it was believed the gods, through their medium Keeya, had decreed that unusual practices would be allowed to mark this event.
One of the most distinctive aspects of this ceremony is its allowance of behaviours that are not typically accepted in Buganda culture.
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This includes the public use of vulgar language, physical contact between in-laws, and dancing in ways that would usually be considered inappropriate including a bum-bumping dance between in-laws.
However, these practices are part of the traditional celebration and should not be misunderstood as immoral acts.
The Changing Tradition of the Celebration
In the past, Okuzina Abalongo was a more immediate event, taking place soon after the birth of the twins.
It would begin with the father of the twins climbing a tree in his father’s compound to announce the birth of the twins to the four directions.
However, over the years, the ceremony has evolved, with many now holding it months after the twins have been born.
This change is due to both cultural shifts and practical challenges, as the materials and trained practitioners needed for the ceremony have become harder to find.
Additionally, the practice of announcing the birth through a public call has replaced the traditional tree-climbing announcement.
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As society becomes more modern and influenced by foreign beliefs, fewer people are participating in these ceremonies, especially with the increasing fear that such practices are linked to evil forces.
This shift has made the celebration less common, with many believing that failure to honour the ceremony could bring misfortune.
The Myths and Beliefs Around Twins
In Buganda, twins are believed to carry both good and bad luck. Failure to honour the Okuzina Abalongo ceremony for instance, is believed to lead to various misfortunes.
These include skin discolorations, believed to be caused by the twins “burning” the skin (known as “abalongo okwokya”), and even the potential death of an unfaithful parent.
If the twins are mishandled, it is said that they will bring bad luck to both the twins and their parents unless certain precautions, such as touching specific plants like the lweza or bombo, are observed.
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Twins on the other hand are also viewed as symbols of good fortune, especially for their parents.
After birth, bits of their umbilical cords o are kept in a basket for their entire lives and are prayed over for blessings.
These cords are thought to symbolise the twins' connection to their family, and anyone who harms them is believed to face severe consequences, including death.
Twins are highly respected in Buganda, with parents of twins regarded as exceptional figures who have survived the double challenge of raising more than one child.
Twins as Stabilising Forces in Families
Twins in Buganda are often seen as a stabilising force within families. The birth of twins is thought to demand faithfulness from parents, as disloyalty can bring about death.
They are also believed to bring long life and fertility, with childless women finding it easier to conceive after participating in the ceremony.
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In Buganda’s folklore, twins do not die in the conventional sense; instead, they are believed to "jump" or "fly."
It is said that when they pass away, their bodies do not decompose, remaining white and preserved forever like the myth of Sleeping Beauty.
These myths add to the mystery and reverence that surrounds the cultural practice of Okuzina Abalongo, making it a fascinating and enduring part of Buganda’s rich cultural heritage.