The paramount ruler of Osogbo, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, has announced the dates for the activities lined up to mark the 2021 edition of the Osun Osogbo Festival, an over 600-year-old international heritage cultural tourism event, celebrated as the annual sacrifice to the Osun River goddess.
A statement released by the Managing Consultant to the Osun Osogbo Festival, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said the two-week long festival will commence on Monday, August 2, 2021, with the traditional cleansing of the town, called ‘Iwopopo,’ which is followed in three days by the lighting of the 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp, called ‘Ina Olojumerindinlogun.’
He stated further that Monday, August 9, is scheduled for ‘Iboriade,’ a unique assemblage and display of the crowns of the past Ataojas of Osogbo, for blessings, explaining that this event would be led by the sitting Ataoja of Osogbo, the Arugba, the Yeye Osun and a committee of priestesses.
The statement reads, “Friday, 13th August will witness the grand finale, which is the sacrificial offering by “Arugba,” at the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
“Other activities of the festival, which are of immense benefit to the tourism sector of Nigeria include: Ifa Arugba, Orun Odo, Ajigun, Ifa Agbalu and Ifa Dida.
“The Osun Osogbo Festival is the biggest annual religious festival among the Yoruba people, and serves as a strong unifying factor for indigenes of Osogboland, during which, irrespective of the different social, economic, religious and political convictions of the people, they all come together annually to celebrate the festival.
“During the 2021 edition of the Osun Osogbo Festival, local and international worshippers, devotees, spectators and tourists will observe all COVID-19 protocols, as was done during the pomp, pageantry, drumming, singing, dancing and celebrations of the 2020 edition.”
