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The Daily Insight

What happens during the Osun festival?

Author

Ava Robinson

Updated on March 24, 2026

Osun-Osogbo: At A Glance

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

Related Question Answers

What is Osun religion?

Oshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality.

How would you describe the dance Osun?

the dance of Osun, a deity who cures the sick and blesses her followers with children, is sinuous and flowing, like the river she is associated with.

What does Osogbo mean in English?

(əˈʃɒɡbəʊ) n. (Placename) a city in SW Nigeria: trade centre.

What is festival in Nigeria?

Festivals in Nigeria are cultural, traditional and social events celebrated by various cultural, social, religious and traditional settings. Most of these cultural festivals are celebrated in honour of gods and deities of the respective tribes that celebrate them.Aug 22, 2019

Why does Oshun wear yellow?

Oshun is a goddess of love and beauty. She's also associated with wealth and is said to love shiny things. She's often represented draped in yellow. “Oshun exudes sensuality and all the qualities associated with fresh, flowing river water,†wrote Oshun follower Valerie Mesa for Vice in 2018.Jul 31, 2020

What is a daughter of Oshun?

Jenmi; Daughter of Oshun. Oshun is a Nigerian Yoruba Orisha, a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of God in the Ifá and Yoruba religions. She is one of the most popular Orisha's and the only female irunmole (primordial) sent to set up the world by Olodumare.Nov 1, 2017

Is Olodumare male or female?

Women Can't Be Heroes The Erasure of Female Pain and the Nationalization of Male Suffering. In the beginning, according to a version of the Yoruba creation story, Olodumare, the creator of the universe, sent 17 Oriá¹£as on a mission to establish the earth. 16 of them were male and one was female; her name was Oá¹£un.Feb 23, 2017

How do you know if your child is Oshun?

If you see the number 5 a lot (my two most recent apartments were on the 5th floor), are attracted to the color yellow or gold and enjoy sweets, specifically honey, then you too may be a child of Oshun. To officially know if you are a daughter of Oshun you have to undergo some intense rituals.Jul 15, 2018

Who is the strongest Orisha?

Ṣàngó is viewed as the most powerful and feared of the orisha pantheon.

Who is Oshun in the Bible?

Oshun: Orisha of the Osun river, rivers, fertility, sensuality and women. Oshun is one of the youngest orishas and Yemaya's younger sister. Legend has it, that Oshun did not always rule the rivers of the world. She was created by the Olodumare because the world he had created was missing love and sweetness.Aug 18, 2020

What is Osun English?

Camwood is also known as African Sandalwood or Osun in yoruba. It is a shrubby, leguminous, hard-wooded tree from Central West Africa.Oct 2, 2021

Who is Oshun husband?

Oshun is believed to have had many lovers and husbands, but her marriage to Shango, the Yoruba sky god of thunder and drumming, is the relationship most often discussed. (Because Shango is also married to her sisters.)Oct 21, 2016

What day is Oshun day of the week?

On the 5th day of each week (Friday), OSHUN & their temple gives offerings to the orisa, Osun, on behalf of members in the community who are looking to connect with the Great Mother. Offerings of kola nut.

Who is olodumare?

In Yoruba cosmology, Olodumare or Olorun is the Supreme Being whose supremacy is absolute. Olodumare is acknowledged by all divinities as unique and pre-eminent. The divinities called orisha (orisa) are offspring of Olodumare and are believed to be ministers and functionaries in the universe.

What does Yeye Oshun mean?

Even if Ọṣun isn't your “head†Spirit guide, she will protect you and deliver your prayers in abundance, just as a mother does for all of her children. The way we honor Ọṣun, and how we start every OSHUN show is by saying “Ore Yeye ooo†which means “we praise our Motherâ€.

How old is Osun?

The modern State of Osun was created on 27 August 1991 from part of the old Oyo State.