THE OSUN/OSHOGBO FESTIVAL OF NIGERIA

THE OSUN/OSHOGBO FESTIVAL OF NIGERIA

Tourism has always been known to be a major source of foreign exchange in many developing countries. Indeed most of the countries depend on tourism and have been able to broaden their resource base through the development of the industry. Nigeria has been described as a land of varoety and contrast; these range from the thick mangroove swamps of tbe south to the sparse shrubs of the arid north, from the humid weather of the south to the semi-temperate climate of Jos Plateau on the harmattan haze on the north.

The weather, wildlife, waterfalls, historical relics, captivating beaches, rolling hills, coupled with the warm hearted and culturally active people make tourism in Nigeria an interesting delight. Some spots and tourist attractions in Nigeria are : Yankari Games Reserve, Idanre Hills, Mambilla Plateau, Ikogosi Warm Springs, Museums, Argungun fishing Festival, Erin Ijesha Water Falls and Osun/Oshogbo Festival.

The Osun/Oshogbo festival is based on the culture and religious practices of the Oshogbo people of Nigeria. The festival which takes place annually, every August, is a grand and colorful cultural festival, organised at the Osun Groove in Oshogbo, Osun state. The festival draws thousands of believers and tourists from both inside and outside of the country. The custodian Priestess of the groove was an Australian Artist Susan Wenger( deceased), popularly called Adunni Olorisa. The festival marks the renewal of the mystical bond between the river goddess and the people of Oshogbo who believe they represent all humanity. The Osun devotees who dress traditionally in white clothes believe that the river goddess brings divine favour and has healing and fertility powers.

Weeks before the festival, Oshogbo is always bubbling with activities. Now that the festival has become a worldwide tourist attraction, other activities such as the Ataoja Youth football, Masquerade day, Traditional wrestling, Ayo game competition, Art exhibition among others, go on for weeks before the actual festival.

A brief history of the Osun/Oshogbo festival, tells us about Osun who was the second wife of Sango( the mythological god of thunder). Sango who married three wives, Oba, Osun and Oya was said to be a fearsome warrior in the days of old. The western people of Nigeria believe that Sango's wives loved him so much that after he left the earth,(it was believed that he did not die but became a god) they also left by turning themselves into rivers with the use of supernatural powers they were said to possess. Hence, we have river Oba, Osun and Oya. Years later, a group of people led by Larooye Olutimehin migrated in search of water and settled very near the osun river. The people made the site a permanent settlement for themselves with Larooye as their king.

There came a time when some people were planting at the river one day, they heard a mysterious voice reprimanding them for disturbance and they tried pacifying the owner. The goddess, pacified, then advised the king and his subjects to move to the other side of the river and promised to bless and protect them if only they worshipped her. It is believed that the goddess possess magical powers and the ability to heal and give children to the barren. Hence, the annual festival and sacrifices.

The sacrifice of this festival involves a virgin girl called Arugba, carrying a partly covered calabash, surrounded by priestesses and a large crowd of people from the King's palace including the King himself. They all accompany her on a long trek to the Osun shrine during which the Arugba must not talk to anybody, neither must the calabash fall from her head. The festival's grand finale is associated with offering sacrifices in form of money, goods, kolanut and birds as well as vows to the river goddess while other traditional groups pay homage to the king, the Ataoja of Oshogbo.

In recent times, the Osun goddess is believed to have established her kingdom across the globe and this is why UNESCO has listed the Osun Groove as a world heritage site.

Rukayat Alabede Olamide

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