Osun-Osogbo Festival
The annual festival at the sacred grove of Osun, goddess of the river and fertility.
The Osun-Osogbo Festival is held every year in August at the Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo, Nigeria. It runs for about two weeks, ending in a grand procession to the river, with dates announced by the Ataoja's palace.
When Is Osun-Osogbo Festival?
The Osun-Osogbo Festival is held every year in August at the Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo, Nigeria. It runs for about two weeks, ending in a grand procession to the river, with dates announced by the Ataoja's palace.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
The Osun-Osogbo festival, held at the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005), is a two-week program that draws thousands of worshippers and visitors from many places and faiths. Osun is the Yoruba Orisha of rivers, fertility, love, and healing.
How It Is Observed
Iwopopo (the cleansing of the town), the lighting of the sixteen-point lamp (Ina Olojumerindinlogun), and Iboriade (the assembly of the crowns of past rulers), culminating in the grand procession in which the Arugba, a young maiden of royal lineage, carries the sacrificial calabash to the river, with prayers for fertility and healing, music, and dance.