It was a celebration galore in Osogbo, Osun State, as Osun devotees elected a new Arugba for the Osun-Osogbo Festival. This followed the release of the previous Arugba to her family after she decided to get married, having faithfully carried out her sacred duties for several years.
One of the key criteria for selecting an Arugba is that she must be a virgin, making it a thing of great pride for families whose daughters are chosen for this revered role. Following the traditional Ifa divination process, Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi, a nine-year-old girl, was unveiled as the new Arugba, stepping into the sacred responsibility of leading the annual procession.
The Arugba holds a significant place in the Osun-Osogbo Festival, as she carries sacred offerings and prayers from the devotees to the Osun River. Her emergence is regarded as a divine selection, ensuring the continuity of the festival’s spiritual traditions.
Excitement and prayers filled the air as devotees welcomed the new Arugba, believing her selection would bring blessings to the people and sustain the legacy of the festival. With preparations already in motion, Princess Osunbunmi is set to undergo spiritual grooming ahead of the 2025 Osun-Osogbo Festival, where she will officially take on her sacred role.
The Osun-Osogbo Festival, a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage event, draws thousands of worshippers, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from across the world. As the newly unveiled Arugba, Princess Osunbunmi will uphold this historic tradition, continuing the legacy of those before her.
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