OSUN OSOGBO SHRINES,GROVE AND FESTIVAL

The people of osun are one of the most applaud citizen in Nigerian, i can not forget the hospitality the women in that state gave to me. They are more respectful and would do anything for you to be happy. my little stay in osun was one of the best travel i ever heard as a youth.


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The ancient town of osogbo where i stayed, the administrative capital of osun state in southern Nigeria is an important cultural center for the Yoruba ethnic nationality. As it was told, it is recounted that as the migrant Yoruba began to clear the area around the river's banks to build their new homes, the river goddess osun, also venerated as the goddess (orisha) of fertility, demanded that her domain be preserved. The Yoruba people obeyed, and demarcated the wooded area around the river as a sacred grove for the goddess. Their obedience is said to have earned them the goodwill of osun, who now provided them water for sustenance, food, and protection; thereby allowing the fledgling cry to settle quickly.

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Dozens of shrines and rituals sculptures were built in the sacred grove around the osun river where worshipers assemble regularly to make supplications for protection and blessings, or to offer thanksgiving to the river goddess. A grand annual colorful festival was thus instituted, during which thousands of devotees from far and wide converge on the city of osogbo to worship. The main attraction at the colorful event is the procession from osogbo town to the sacred grove led by traditional leaders in the company of the Arugba, the votary maiden of the festival. At the grove, sacrifices are made to the river goddess, and celebrations with singing, drumming, and dancing continue late into the night.

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