Report coming from Osogbo indicates that a 12-year-old girl, Osunbunmi has been chosen as the new Arugba (sacred calabash bearer) for the revered Osun-Osogbo Festival. Her selection, finalized through a rigorous divination process led by the festival’s chief priests, marks an important moment for devotees of the Osun goddess in the Southwest.
The Arugba, a role reserved for young virgins symbolizing purity and divine connection, holds profound significance in the annual two-week festival, recognized by UNESCO as a global cultural treasure.
Osunbunmi will now shoulder the sacred responsibility of leading the grand procession to the Osun River, balancing a calabash laden with offerings believed to appease the river deity and ensure communal prosperity.
The divination rites, conducted under the guidance of the Ataoja (traditional ruler) of Osogbo, involved consultations with oracle priests and rituals rooted in Yoruba cosmology. Community elders emphasized that Osunbunmi’s selection—a blend of spiritual alignment and ancestral approval—reflects the enduring continuity of Yoruba traditions amid modernity.
Historians note that while the role’s essence remains unchanged, community-led efforts now ensure the chosen girl’s education and well-being are safeguarded post-festival.
Photo credit: Osogbo Updates
