ỌBÁṢỌLÁ

Festival of Tradition


The early history of the Oshogbo people is founded on   spiritual beliefs. The Osun River goddess is credited with the founding and establishment of Oshogbo town.


Some describe her as the ‘Oso-Igbo’, the queen and original founder of Oshogbo town; thus, the Osun Oshogbo festival has been celebrated for  centuries.


Festival Of Tradition explores the events and activities of the Osun festival. Osun-Oshogbo festival is celebrated annually in the month of August at the grove. The festival attracts thousands of Osun worshippers, spectators and tourists from all over the world. For the people of Oshogbo, Southwest, Nigeria, August is a month of celebration    and cultural reunion  with their ancestors. They   believe   the water from the Osun river is directly from the goddess and works miracles.


The Osun-Oshogbo Festival is a two-week-long programme that starts with the traditional cleansing of the town; 'Iwopopo', followed in three days by the lighting of the over 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp; 'Ina Olojumerindinlogun'. Then comes the 'Ibroriade', an assemblage of the crowns of the past ruler, Ataojas of Osogbo, for blessings.


The grand finale event is led by the sitting Ataoja of Osogbo, the Arugba, Yeye Osun and a committee of priestesses.

Street dancer during iwopopo, one of the activities during the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
The Ataoja of Oshogbo leads the procession around the town during iwopopo, one of the activities to celebrate the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
Osun devotees carry sacrificial items to the Osun River for rituals during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
Spectators cheer the Osun votary maid (Arugba) on the way to the Oaun river for rituals during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
Young male Osun devotees during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
Osun votary maid (Arugba) leaves the palace of the Ataoja of Oshogbo to the Osun River for rituals during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
Osun votary maid (Arugba) is surrounded by spectators and tourists as she leaves the palace of the Ataoja of Oshogbo to the Osun River for rituals during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
Eyo masquerade display during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival at Ojubo Osun. Festival Culture Tradition
A woman carries kola nuts and bitter kola for sacrifice at the Ojubo Osun during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival.
Osun priestess prays for a devotee at the Ojubo Osun during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
An Osun devotee in trance at the Ojubo Osun during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
A young Osun priest carries sacrifice at the Ojubo Osun during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
Handing of sacrificial items to priests and priestesses during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
Osun worshippers, spectators and tourists react to prayer at the Ojubo Osun during the grand finale of the celebration of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival. Festival Culture Tradition
An evening of lighting the 16-point lamp at the Ataojao's palace. One of the activities to celebrate the Osun-Oshogbo annual festival.
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