OSUN - OSOGBO SACRED GROVE, HERITAGE OF YORUBALAND

The Osun-Oshogbo Grove is among the last of the sacred forests which usually adjoined the edges of most Yoruba cities before extensive urbanization. In recognition of its global significance and its cultural value, the Sacred Grove was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Reckoned as a holy place by a majority of Nigerians, this place is said to be the home of the goddess of fertility Osun, belonging to the Yoruba gods. It is located on the fringes of the city of Oshogbo surrounded by dense forests. The surrounding areas of the Osun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove are filled with sanctuaries and holy shrines, as well as sculptures and illustrations depicting Osun and other Yoruba gods and goddesses. Because of its rich natural diversity, its often referred to as one of the popular sacred forests of the world.

This place has a religious and mythological significance to the people of Nigeria, and since then has been an object of fascination for foreign tourists. The Osun River flows through the Yoruba countryside forming into lagoons later. Oshogbo is a well-planned town and the annual Osun Oshogbo festival is the talk of the town for it offers an amazing glimpse into the rich Nigerian traditions and culture.

Every year, the Osun-Oshogbo festival is celebrated in the month of August at the grove. Yearly, the festival attracts thousands of Osun worshippers, spectators, and tourists from all walks of life.

For the people of Oshogbo Land, August is a month of celebration, traditional cleansing of the city and cultural reunion of the people with their ancestors and founders of the Oshogbo Kingdom.

Ina Olojumerindinlogun

The Osun-Oshogbo Festival is a two-week-long programme. It starts with the traditional cleansing of the town called 'Iwopopo', which is followed in three days by the lighting of the 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp called 'Ina Olojumerindinlogun'. Ina Olojumerindinlogun, the sacred lamp lit at the beginning of the annual Osun-Oshogbo festival

Then the 'Ibroriade', an assemblage of the crowns of the past ruler, Ataojas of Oshogbo, for blessings. This event is led by the sitting Ataoja of Oshogbo and the

Arugba, Yeye Osun and a committee of priestesses.

The Osun Oshogbo festival also serves as a strong unifying factor in Oshogboland, as irrespective of the different social, economic, religious and political convictions of the people, they all come together annually to celebrate the goddess.