Osun Osogbo Festival: Allure, Deaths and Osun goddess

• • Sodiq Lawal

The Osun Osogbo Festival is a captivating and culturally significant event that revolves around the veneration of the Osun goddess in Osogbo, Nigeria. This annual festival is a convergence of tradition, spirituality, and communal celebration, drawing participants and observers from various parts of Nigeria and beyond.

The allure of the Osun Osogbo Festival lies in its colorful and vibrant ceremonies. Elaborate processions, traditional dances, and intricate rituals take place, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and the chanting of prayers. The atmosphere is filled with a sense of unity and reverence as people come together to honor the goddess Osun, who is believed to possess healing and fertility powers.

However, the festival has not been without its darker moments. In the past, there have been incidents of deaths and accidents during the crowded celebrations. These unfortunate occurrences have prompted discussions about the need for improved safety measures and crowd control to ensure the well-being of participants.

Central to the festival is the worship of the Osun goddess herself. Osun is revered as a deity of water, fertility, and love. Her shrine, situated at the Osun Sacred Grove, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and serves as the epicenter of the festival. Pilgrims and devotees gather here to offer sacrifices, prayers, and gifts to seek blessings and flavors from the goddess.

In recent times, efforts have been made to strike a balance between preserving the cultural authenticity of the Osun Osogbo Festival and addressing safety concerns. Organizers, local authorities, and communities have collaborated to implement measures that ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the festival, including crowd management, medical assistance, and infrastructure improvements.

The Osun Osogbo Festival encapsulates the allure of Yoruba culture, spirituality, and communal bonding. While the festival’s allure is undeniable, discussions also encompass the tragic incidents that have occurred in the past and the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. Ultimately, the festival remains a testament to the enduring significance of the Osun goddess and the traditions she represents.

The Attendance

The Osun Osogbo Festival is a major cultural event in Nigeria that attracts thousands of attendees from different parts of the country and beyond. The festival takes place annually in Osogbo, Osun State, to honor the river goddess Osun. People come to participate in the vibrant processions, ceremonies, and artistic performances that celebrate Yoruba traditions and spirituality.

The recent Osun festival that was held this year was attended by over 100, 000 people drawn from Nigeria and other countries. The festival’s popularity has grown over the years, drawing both locals and tourists interested in experiencing the cultural richness and spiritual significance of the event.

The Beauty Of Arugba Parade

Arugba Osun is a significant cultural and artistic symbol in Yoruba tradition. As the chosen maiden who carries the calabash during the Osun Osogbo festival in Nigeria, Arugba embodies the purity and spiritual connection to the river goddess Osun. Her role in the festival showcases the intersection of art, spirituality, and community celebration. The beauty of Arugba Osun lies in the way she represents the rich cultural heritage and the enduring traditions of the Yoruba people

War of gods As Oluwo Bans Isese Festival

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi seems to be a paramount monarch in Osun State who has several kicked against the practice of Isese Festival in Iwo community.

Oba Akanbi, in a viral video, on August, 2023, ordered that no Oro festival or sacrifice will take place this year in the ancient town.

Oba Akanbi in the video said only Almighty God can make the town peaceful, just as he called for the arrest of anyone who places sacrifice or imposes ritual curfew on the town under the guise of Oro festival.

However, Oba Akanbi later denied ever banning the celebration of Isese Day, saying he was only against restricting people’s movement in the name of worship.

He said: “There was never a time I banned Isese in Iwo except imposition of curfew to restrict people’s freedom of movement. My point is, any deity restricting human movement is anti-progress. It should be done in the bush where no one lives.

“Oro worshippers in Iwo should change their mode of engagement to exclude restriction of people’s movement. Such will not be entertained in my domain. It is banned in Iwoland and that is it. Other Oro done in moderation and not placing restrictions on human freedom is permitted. Individuals are free to engage in their family deity as much as people’s freedom is not hindered. I didn’t ban Isese. I’m an ancient traditional ruler, custodian of Yoruba culture, customs and traditions. I’m a father to all including the traditionalists.”

Nevertheless, some residents of the area posited that he only changed his position following the intervention of the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who maintained that the state is for all religions.

The marking of Isese Day As Public Holiday – A Continuation of Aregbesola’s legacy

Former governor Rauf Aregbesola showed his support for traditional worshippers by being the first governor in the Southwest region of Nigeria to declare a public holiday for Isese Day. Isese Day is a celebration of traditional Yoruba religion and culture, honoring the deities and ancestors. By officially recognizing this holiday, Aregbesola acknowledged the cultural heritage and beliefs of traditional worshippers in the region. This act of respect and inclusivity helped foster a sense of belonging and cultural pride among traditional worshippers, while also promoting religious diversity and understanding in the state.

Presently, all serving governors in southwest have followed the legacy of Aregbesola by declaring public holiday for Isese day.

Generating Income For Osun Govt And FG

The Osun Festival can generate income for both the Osun State government and the federal government in a few ways. Local tourism and increased economic activity during the festival can lead to higher tax revenue for the state government. Additionally, revenue can be generated through fees charged to vendors, businesses, and participants, as well as sales of festival-related merchandise and services.

The federal government might benefit from the festival through increased economic activity, which can contribute to higher overall tax revenue and economic growth. However, it’s important to note that specific financial details and allocations would depend on various factors including government policies, regulations, and the scale of the festival’s impact on the economy.

Securing life and properties of Osun festival attendees

Accreditation of attendees at the Osun Festival can contribute to securing life and property in several ways:

Controlled Access: Accreditation allows organizers to have better control over the number of attendees and their identities. This helps prevent overcrowding, ensuring the safety of participants and reducing the risk of stampedes or other accidents.

 

Security Screening: Accreditation can involve background checks and security screenings, which help identify potential security threats or individuals with criminal backgrounds. This helps maintain a safer environment for all attendees.

Emergency Response Planning: With accurate attendance data from accreditation, organizers can better plan for emergencies. They can estimate the number of people to evacuate or provide medical assistance to in case of any unforeseen incidents.

Deterrent to Criminal Activity: The knowledge that attendees are accredited and their identities are known can deter potential criminals from engaging in illegal activities during the festival.

Effective Communication: Accreditation can help organizers establish effective communication channels with attendees. In case of emergencies or important announcements, accredited attendees can be quickly informed, facilitating orderly responses.

Lost and Found: Accreditation can assist in reuniting lost individuals with their belongings or with their group, enhancing overall safety and reducing confusion.

Crowd Management: By knowing the number of attendees and their locations, organizers can better manage crowd movement, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring the safety of participants.

Traffic Control: Accreditation can help control the flow of traffic around the festival area, reducing congestion and preventing accidents.

It’s important to implement a well-designed accreditation system that respects attendees’ privacy and ensures their safety while providing necessary security measures.