Osun Osogbo festival is an annual event celebrated in August as sacred worship to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility. The festival is believed to renew the ties between the people and the deities. Annually, thousands of traditional followers and tourists across Nigeria grace Osogbo, Osun state capital to join in the festival celebration. This cultural festival is regarded as one of the most popular festivals in West Africa. Here are 10 Interesting things we know about Osun Osogbo.
- Osun Osogbo attracts tourists within and out of Nigeria to show gratitude to the Osun goddess.
- The festival is celebrated by Yoruba people, the major ethnic group in South Western Nigeria. The Yoruba tribe is believed to have originated from Ile-Ife. Their traditions are closely linked to nature.
- The Osun-Osogbo sacred grove, regarded as the dwelling place of the goddess of fertility (Osun) was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.This is where the festival holds annually.
- Osun Osogbo usually starts with ‘Iwopopo’, the traditional cleansing of the town. This is then followed by the lighting of the 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp called “Atupa oloju merindinlogun,” which comes up three days after the cleansing of the land.
- The festival celebrates the ‘Iboriade’, an assemblage of the crowns of past rulers – Ataoja of Osogbo, for blessings. This event is led by the sitting Ataoja of Osogbo, the Arugba, Yeye Osun, and a committee of priestesses.
- “Dida Ifa arugba,” sees a young virgin woman (arugba) of a royal lineage, offering sacrifices to the deity. This is often followed by the “Osun Ajigun” to mark the end of the festival.
- Osun Osogbo traditionally includes a celebration of many local artistic traditions and features drumming, dancing, musical performances, elaborate costumes, recitation of praise, poetry, and more
- The festival holds a strong belief in the supreme being of all creations, called Olorun or Olodumare, and over 200 other gods, called Orisa. Many of these gods are represented by natural creations in the environment. Sango, for example, is the god of thunder, Yemoja, the goddess of the sea, and Oya, one of Sango’s wives, is regarded as the goddess of the storm.
- The Osun Osogbo festival is celebrated in many countries outside Africa such as Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, and Cuba. Despite the influence of Western culture and religion, the festival has maintained its originality, authenticity, and acceptability amongst nations worldwide.
- The festival hosts cultural enthusiasts inside the grove such asAraba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye, and the Generalissimo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
Osun-Osogbo is not just a celebration of culture, but also a means to boost commercial activities in Osun State.
Have you ever attended the Osun Osogbo festival? Please share your experience with us.
