What happens during the Osun festival?
Ava Robinson
Updated on March 24, 2026
The festival of Osun-Osgobo, which takes place every year in Osogbo, Nigeria, celebrates the goddess of fertility, Osun. The festival renews the contract between humans and the divine: Osun offers grace to the community; in return, it vows to honor her Sacred Grove.
Similarly one may ask, what is the story of Osun?
Osun is a goddess of all things feminine; fertility, spirituality, emotions, sensuality, nurture and love. The festival began approximately 600 years ago. It was started by the founders of the Osogbo community. The story told is that the founders intended to clear all the trees in the area for settlement.Aug 19, 2020
Similarly, who is Yeye Osun? “Yeye Osun†as fondly called by her worshippers is known as the goddess of light, of love, of sensuality, of sexuality, of life and fertility. The goddess is believed to have turned to the present day river after being angered by one of her warriors as a result of a dispute.Jan 21, 2019
In this way, why did Osun turn to a river?
In Yoruba cosmology, Osun was said to have metamorphosed into a river as a result of a misunderstanding between her and “Obaâ€, a co-wife of Sango. The Osun River takes its source from Igede-Ekiti, flows through Ilesha to Osogbo town and empties itself in the Atlantic Ocean.Nov 29, 2017
What is Calabash sacrifice?
The Arugba, also known as the 'calabash carrier', has a large calabash on her head underneath a colourful veil. It contains the sacrifices of the entire community and those offered by the people in attendance. Every Arugba has to remain a virgin during her time in the role.Aug 26, 2019