Mary Slessor: The Missionary Who Stopped The Killing Of Twins In Nigeria
Mary Slessor was a Scottish missionary who arrived in Nigeria in 1876 and became one of the most respected humanitarian figures in the region.
She is best known for her courageous efforts to end the killing of twins, a practice once common among the Efik, Ibibio, and nearby communities, who believed twins were evil spirits.
To end twin killings, Mary buried herself in the culture, learned the local language, and earned the trust of the people.
However, in his guide, you’ll learn:
- The full history of Mary Slessor
- How Mary Slessor stopped the killing of twins in Nigeria
- Her legacy, when she dies, and what led to her death
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Who Was Mary Slessor?
Mary Mitchell Slessor was a Scottish missionary born on December 2, 1848, in Gilcomston, Aberdeen, Scotland. She grew up in a working-class family of modest means.
Her father, Robert Slessor, was a shoemaker who battled alcoholism, while her mother was a strong Presbyterian. Her mother’s deep Christian faith had a big impact on Mary’s early life and influenced her spiritual beliefs.
In 1857, when Mary was just eight years old, her family moved to Dundee, a city renowned for its factories and poverty. Dundee was known for its jute mills, which employed many workers, including young children.
Mary began working in one of these mills when she was only 11 years old. She worked long 12-hour shifts but still found time to go to school part-time. She loved to read and spent her free time learning about missionaries and famous explorers.
One of her greatest inspirations was David Livingstone, and his death in 1873 pushed her to follow a similar path. Despite the tough conditions she faced, Mary was involved in church work.
She taught Sunday school and helped in her local community. These experiences gave her a strong sense of mission and a desire to help others, especially the poor. At the age of 28, Mary decided to become a missionary.
She applied to the Foreign Mission Board of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland. After completing her training, she was sent in 1876 to Calabar, a region in present-day Nigeria, where she worked with the Efik people and began her long and impactful missionary journey.
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Why Were Twins Killed In Nigeria?
The killing of twins in Nigeria was a tragic cultural practice found mostly among ethnic groups like the Efik, Ibibio, and Igbo, especially in the South-South and South-East regions of the country.
For many years, the birth of twins was believed to be a bad sign. People thought twins were unnatural and linked to evil forces. In places like Cross River State, twins were seen as a curse.
Some believed the mother had sinned or been with an evil spirit, and that one of the twins might even be the child of a spirit.
Since they couldn’t tell which one, both were killed or abandoned. Among the Igbo people, twins were viewed as an abomination against the earth goddess, Ala.
They believed that having twins brought spiritual impurity and misfortune. Mothers were blamed and treated badly, sometimes even cast out by their husbands.
The fear of shame and punishment pushed families to go along with the killing or abandoning of their children. Twins were sometimes left to die in the forest or buried in “bad bushes” outside the villages.
This practice wasn’t just limited to one place. It was seen in many parts of southern Nigeria. Community elders and spiritual leaders helped enforce these beliefs through rituals and punishments.
Even though British officials like Consul Beecroft tried to stop it in 1849 with the help of leaders like King Eyo II, it continued for decades.
It wasn’t until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the practice slowly began to fade, with the efforts of people like Mary Slessor. Yet, some small groups held onto these beliefs as recently as 1991.
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How Mary Slessor Stopped The Killing Of Twins In Nigeria?
When Mary Slessor arrived in Calabar, Nigeria, in 1876, she realized that to stop the killing of twins, she needed the trust of the local people.
She learned the Efik language fluently, which allowed her to speak directly with families, elders, and traditional rulers. This helped her break down barriers that had kept other missionaries distant.
At that time, many communities believed twins were evil or cursed. Because of this, twins were killed or abandoned in the forest.
Mary took a bold step by rescuing these abandoned twins. She adopted many of them, gave them food, medical care, and education, and raised them as her children.
One of the most notable twins she saved was Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, who lived to be 115 years old. Mary also taught people about Christian values that stressed the importance of every human life.
She didn’t attack their beliefs harshly. Instead, she used stories, talks, and real-life examples to slowly change their minds. As someone people trusted, she also helped settle village disputes and push for social change.
Her influence grew stronger when the British government made her vice-consul. This gave her legal power to protect twins and their mothers.
She worked with local chiefs and British officials to help enforce laws that stopped twin killings. Even though she faced sickness, danger, and resistance, Mary never gave up.
The Legacy Of Mary Slessor In Nigeria Today
One of her most notable contributions was helping to stop the killing of twins. At that time, twins were seen as evil, and mothers were rejected or harmed. Mary stepped in with compassion, defending these children and their mothers.
Mary Slessor also fought for women’s rights and stood up for the poor and weak. She helped settle disputes and encouraged fairness and justice.
Schools like the Mary Slessor Primary School in Arochukwu and the Mary Slessor Academy in Calabar continue her mission by giving children access to quality education.
In Calabar, there’s a statue that stands in her memory. Even her grave in Dundee, Scotland, draws visitors from both Nigeria and the UK.
In 2018, Queen Elizabeth II honored her legacy by laying a wreath at her gravesite. Madam Malinda Mgbafor Okereke, one of the twins rescued by Mary, lived to 115 and became a living symbol of hope.
FAQs
1. Why Did Mary Slessor Stop The Killing Of Twins?
Mary Slessor stood firmly against the killing of twins because she saw it as a cruel and unjust superstition.
2. What Tribe Practiced Twin Killing In Nigeria?
The Efik and Ibibio tribes of Cross River State were most known for the practice of twin killing. They believed twins were evil or cursed. This belief also existed among some Igbo groups and in other parts of southern Nigeria, though not as widely.
3. Is Twin Killing Still Happening In Nigeria?
Twin killing has been almost completely stopped in Nigeria, especially where Mary Slessor worked. Due to laws, education, and community change, most people now see twins as a blessing.
4. Where Did Mary Slessor Live In Nigeria?
Mary Slessor lived and worked in Calabar, Okoyong, and Arochukwu, areas in present-day Cross River State.
5. When Did Mary Slessor Die?
Mary Slessor died on January 13, 1915, at the age of 66. She passed away in Nigeria after nearly four decades of selfless service. Mary Slessor passed away due to complications from malaria, a disease she likely caught during her first mission journey to Nigeria.
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