òrìṣà

According to the Yoruba people of South-Western Nigeria and also parts of Republic of Benin, practitioners of the Yoruba traditional tradition and Ifa oral literature believe in a pantheon of 401 gods or deities (orisa) who were sent to the world by Olodumare to protect and govern the world and all forms of human life.

Who is Ọṣun?

Ọṣun can be described as a spirit, a deity or river goddess who is the the goddess of divinity, fertility, femininity, fertility and love. She is believed to be omnipresent and omnipotent. She is very powerful and kind and she is also the saint of the Osun river which can be found in Ekiti State, Western Nigeria.

Ọṣun-Osogbo Festival

The Osun river also passes through the sacred Osun-Osogbo sacred grove and that is where the principal sanctuary of the deity is located. The Osun goddess established her kingdom there. Olaguna(1952:16) writes that many centuries ago, Oba Olarooye of Ipole omu, Olutimehin, a great hunter and their subjects migrated from Ipole omu because of water scarcity and they settled at the Osun groove where the goddess had established her kingdom.

One day, as they were preparing the ground for the planting season, a tree fell across the river crushing many of Osun tools of trade. It is recorded that the goddess was furious with Olutimehin saying: "Gbogbo ikoko aro mi le ti fo tan" (You have destroyed all my calabashes).The spirits within the grove pacified the goddess saying:

"Oso-igbo pele o" spirit of the forest we plead
"Oso-igbo rora o" spirit of the forest be patient

Olarooye and Olutimehin were shocked because they wondered how the goddess knew their names. Sensing this, she re-assured them and later advised them to move to the upper part of the river called OHUNTOTO. There Oba Olarooye established another palace as well as a thriving market.

One day, Olutimehin saw some spirits dancing round a lamp with sixteen receptacles, which he seized through incantation. When the goddess learnt of this, she made Olutimehin and Olarooye promise to celebrate the lightening of the lamp annually, particularly nine days from the grand finale of the Osun festival.

She gave them a calabash containing antiquities with a warning that the contents must never be exposed to the naked eyes. She also decreed that the calabash must be taken to the grove during the festival by a virgin to the reigning king, and who must be chosen by the Ifa.

On the festival day, the Ataoja (king ) sits on the dedicated stone of authority housed on the Osun temple/shrine where he commune with the ancestors. Osun gave her assurance that if her instructions were carried out, she would pour a curative substance into the river if sacrifices from the Ataoja were acceptable. According to historical records, Osogbo had been founded as early as the Oduduwa period. Osogbo, the goddess of Osun river was the queen original founder of Osogbo.

According to Bier (1966:69) there are some heroic roles of historical importance, rendered by Osun goddess especially during the Fulani war of 1842. She was credited with many important achievements, which helped to established the state. She possessed magical powers which inspired her and frightened her.

The relationship between the Osun Osogbo festival which has been celebrated for about six hundred centuries.

Primordial Ọṣun

According to Ifa oral literature, Osun was the only female irunmole (primordial spirit) sent by Olodumare (God) to the world and she encountered difficulties in the course of her duties that she sought the assistance of Sango (god of thunder & lightning). She was mesmerised by Sango's mythical powers that she decided to become his wife. She was honoured by the gods who granted her goddess status based on her loyalty.

Mortal Ọṣun

According version of Ifa literature states that she went to a drum festival where she met and fell in love with Sango. Other versions also mention that she was also married to Orunmila (god of wisdom and divination). The Abẹ̀bẹ̀ is the ritual object most associated with Ọṣun. The Abẹ̀bẹ̀ is a fan in circular form.

Brazillians

The Afro-Brazillians in Brazil also worship Osun who they believe is the goddess of rivers and waterfalls. She is also in control of wealth, prosperity, love and beauty and follows seek Osun when they have marital or relationship issues. "Lady of Gold" is another name they call Osun. In Brazil dhe is worshipped near waterfalls, and more rarely, near mineral water sources

Ọṣun worshippers

We showcased Osun worshippers at Golcabash2019, an event I organise annually to showcase and promote Yoruba culture, tradition & customs. Please see the pictures below: