The grand finale of the annual Osun-Osogbo festival and as expected thousands of Yoruba people and devotees Osun River goddess trooped out to mark the celebration.
The festival which lasts for two weeks is celebrated every August at the Osun-Osogbo groove at the bank of the Osun River. It is considered as the biggest annual traditional religious event of the Yoruba people. Every year, thousands of spectators and devoted worshippers from all the world attend the festival.
History has it that the festival began over 600 years ago by the founders of Osogbo land. According to the story, the founders wanted to settle by the bank of the Osun River at Osogbo and began clearing the trees around it. After they began felling the trees at the river, the Osun River goddess called them out and ordered them to stop and move away.
The founders moved away from the river area and marked it as a sacred area. They began to celebrate and make sacrifices to the River goddess in return for fertility and good fortune. The annual festival this a divine contract between the Osogbo people and the Osun River goddess. The people venerate the goddess’ sacred groove while the goddess protects and offers prosperity and grace to them.
The festival gained international prominence in the 1980s following the arrival of Ms Wenger, an Austrian artist and activist. Ms Wenger had divorced her husband and flew down to Nigeria. She decided to stay in Osogbo for the rest of her life.
It was Ms Wenger’s activism and influence that made the festival go international and the Osun groove ended up becoming a UNESCO world heritage site. Ms Wenger was nicknamed Adunni Olorisha. She died in 2009 at the ripe age of 2009.
This year’s festival commenced on the 2nd of this month with the traditional cleansing of the town called ‘Iwopopo’. The cleansing was followed by a three-day lighting of the 500 years old sixteen-point lamp called ‘Ina Olojumerindinlogun’.
Last Monday, August 9th witnessed the ‘Iboriade’, the blessing of the unique and colourful crowns of the past Ataojas of Osogbo.
Today being the grand finale witnessed a grand procession and sacrificial offering led by the Arugba, Yeye Osun, a committee of priestesses and the Ataoja of Osogbo land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji (Olaonipekun Larooye II). It should be noted that all necessary COVID-19 protocols were observed.
Photos
Osun devotees offer series of prayers to the Osun River Goddess at the shrine as the await the arrival of the priestess, Arugba
Arugba arrives and takes all requests, prayers, submissions and everything to the River Goddess in prayer
The arrival of Ataoja of Osogbo Land at the event.
More pictures from the festival
The priestess
