A new chapter has begun in the centuries-old Osun-Osogbo Festival as nine-year-old Alimot Osunbunmi takes on the revered role of Arugba — the virgin priestess who leads the sacred procession to the Osun Sacred Grove carrying ritual offerings to the goddess Osun.
Her appointment follows the end of Osuntomi’s 11-year service in the role, marking a generational transition in one of Africa’s most iconic cultural traditions.
The Selection of the New Arugba
Alimot Osunbunmi was chosen in March 2025 after a traditional Ifa divination ceremony conducted by Osun devotees. The divination — a sacred consultation with the Yoruba oracle — is the only accepted means to determine the goddess’s choice for the role.
The position of Arugba is strictly reserved for a royal virgin from a recognized ruling family, and Osunbunmi meets that requirement as a member of a royal lineage in Osogbo. Her appointment is not merely ceremonial; it signifies her spiritual readiness to bear the calabash of offerings on behalf of the entire community.
The Arugba’s Sacred Role in the Osun-Osogbo Festival
During the annual festival, the Arugba balances a large, covered calabash on her head, filled with ritual offerings such as kola nuts, honey, alligator pepper, and other symbolic items meant to honor the goddess Osun.
This calabash is believed to have been originally given to the ancestors of Osogbo by Osun herself, making it the spiritual centerpiece of the event.
But the Arugba is more than a ceremonial bearer. In Yoruba belief, she is seen as a living embodiment of the goddess Osun. As she walks from the Ataoja’s Palace to the Osun River, worshippers and participants cast their spiritual burdens upon her in a symbolic act of cleansing and renewal.
Her passage is closely guarded by the Olose, or “Whip Boys,” who ensure she is not hindered, touched, or obstructed in any way. Tradition warns that a misstep — such as treading on a stone, stump, or puddle — could be a bad omen, potentially affecting the spiritual outcome of the year’s festival.
The Journey to the Osun Sacred Grove
The procession to the grove is one of the most anticipated moments of the festival. Thousands line the streets as chants, drumming, and dancing fill the air.
Upon reaching the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Arugba delivers the calabash to the priests, who then perform rituals at the sacred river. The offerings are believed to strengthen the bond between the community and the goddess, ensuring fertility, protection, and blessings for the year ahead.
History and Significance of the Osun-Osogbo Festival
The Osun-Osogbo Festival is celebrated annually in August and is considered Yorubaland’s most prominent traditional festival. It attracts thousands of devotees, tourists, cultural enthusiasts, and scholars from across the globe.
The festival’s origins trace back over 600 years, when the founders of Osogbo were clearing land for settlement and were warned by a mysterious spirit — believed to be the goddess Osun — to leave a certain area untouched. That area later became the sacred grove and a center for worship of the goddess.
Since then, the festival has been held every year to honor Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility, love, and protection.
The Importance of Purity in the Arugba Tradition
The choice of the Arugba is steeped in spiritual symbolism. She must be a virgin from a royal family and live under special guidance during her service years, avoiding any action that could compromise her purity.
Her role is not only spiritual but also communal, as her successful journey each year is believed to influence the prosperity, peace, and wellbeing of the community.
The 2025 Festival and the New Beginning
As Alimot Osunbunmi steps into this sacred role, she carries not only the calabash but also the weight of centuries-old traditions and the hopes of her people. Her youthful presence marks both a continuity and a renewal of the festival’s legacy, ensuring that the heritage of Osun worship remains alive for future generations.
With the streets of Osogbo already buzzing in anticipation, the 2025 Osun-Osogbo Festival promises to be a spectacular blend of devotion, culture, and celebration.
