OSHOGBO FESTIVAL OF THE RIVER GODDESS OF LOVE & FERTILITY
AUGUST 16 - 21, 2010, OSHOGBO, OSUN STATE OF NIGERIA
To seek ancestral blessing in absentia, click here to download and complete the form
The early history of the Oshogbo people is founded on mythical and spiritual beliefs, along the lines of the traditions of the Yoruba people. The Osun, river goddess is credited with the founding and establishment of Oshogbo town. Some accounts describe her as, Oso-Igbo, the queen and original founder of Oshogbo town. Thus the Osun Oshogbo festival, which has been celebrated for about six hundred centuries, was built around a relationship between the river goddess Osun, and the first monarch of Oshogbo kingdom, Oba Gbadewolu Larooye.
Oshogbo town is set to come alive again, with this year's celebration of the world class festival. The two weeklong festival has already begun gathering momentum with the opening events such as the traditional cleansing of the city, or the Iwopopo, followed by the lighting of the five hundred years old sixteen points lamp also known as the Olojumeridinlogun.
The votary maid or Arugba, who leads the procession during the grand finale of the festival, is required to be a virgin, as high premium is placed on purity. This role has been played by Agbolade for the past six years who says her peers were initially awed by her divine role and thus avoided her.
Osogbo will once again be the major attention of the world, as the people of Osun State celebrate the annual feast (Osun Osogbo) that has come to represent a point of convergence for the people of the region.
The pilgrimage will be a memorable get together for the people and tourists from around the globe.
The people of African have been known for their communal identity, which reflected in the strong bond that existed among the founding fathers. And this was subsequently passed on to their descendants as a way of life, which is tied to cultural values as a kind of heritage. However, one major threat to African culture has been modernization. With the advent of western education, Africans were quick to accept the western way of life, from language, to food, and even dressing.
A quick look into history revealed that, most of the age-long cultural heritage of the founding fathers of Africans has gone into extinction with the coming of modern norms and civilization. While attempt will not be made to question the benefit of the encroaching way of life, it must be said that effort must be made to remind Africans of their root, for the sake of posterity, for which the company must be given credence.
Despite the gradual fading away of celebrated African cultural traditions, one that has not only stood the test of time, but a reference point, even till today is the Osun Osogbo Festival. Since 1370, the people of this part of the world, south-west Nigeria, have been able to hold on to what was bestowed on them by their fore fathers.
As a mark of the bond that was established over six centuries ago, Osogbo people gather annually to celebrate, what they observe as their founders' day. A unique cultural practice built around the relationship that existed between a river goddess and Oba Gbadewolu Laroye, the first monarch of the Osogbo Kingdom. Inside the Osun grove lay the origin of the Osogbo ascendancy and kingship institution.
Records show that the Osun grove is a highly sacred sanctuary where different shrines, sculptures and artworks have been erected to honour, celebrate and remember all the Yoruba deities in the grove. Because it is generally believed by the people, the sacred River Osun is a goddess and some mythical and metaphorical significance are attached to it.
The Osun is acclaimed as the goddess of fertility, prosperity and healing. Despite the proximity of the forest to human habitation, the grove was traditionally maintained and protected by the indigenous people using myths and belief system. These prevent any forms of encroachment regarded as sacrilegious and offensive to the gods and goddess. Osun grove was recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a world heritage site, and this has been linked to the consistence that the festival has enjoyed over the years and the protection of the values of the grove by the people.
OUR SPECIAL PRAYER SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND THIS YEAR'S PILGRIMAGE IN PERSON.
For those who cannot attend this year pilgrimage, we organize special ancestral blessing ceremonies on their behalf. If you want your name to be included among those seeking blessing in absentia, kindly download the registration form or : PrinceBubacarrASankanu@gmx.de
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