Young Arugba Helped by Chief Priest to Carry Calabash "Due to Heaviness"

• This year’s Osun-Osogbo Festival took a different turn as the symbolic white calabash, usually carried by a female votary maid, was handled by the Osun Chief Priest
• The newly selected Arugba, young Alimot Osunbunmi, reportedly did not carry it due to the physical demands of the role
• Meanwhile, APC governorship aspirant Dotun Babayemi urged the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage to safeguard language, history, and unity

This year’s Osun-Osogbo Cultural Festival took a surprising turn when the symbolic white calabash, known as Igba Osun, was carried by a male participant instead of the newly appointed votary maid.

The role is traditionally reserved for a virgin from the royal family, chosen through the Ifa oracle, who leads the procession to the sacred Osun grove.

Osunbunmi emerges as new Arugba

In March, 9-year-old Alimot Osunbunmi was selected as the new Arugba Osun, succeeding Osuntomi Ewatomilola, who had carried out the role for about 12 years before stepping down after her marriage last August.

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Meet 9-year-old Alimot Osunbunmi, new Arugba of Osun-Osogbo festival

This year was Osunbunmi’s debut appearance, but the calabash was handled by the Osun Chief Priest, identified only as Adesina.

Eyewitnesses said that during the procession to the grove, Osunbunmi walked ahead while the priest carried the calabash.

The movement of the group was under tight security, with soldiers, Department of State Services personnel, and other operatives present. The reason for the switch in carriers was not officially stated, the Punch reported.

Arugba's fragility possible reason for compromise

A traditionalist, Olawale Osunfemi, offered a possible explanation to Punch.

“It is not unusual. The likely reason may be due to the strength of the new Arugba,” he said.

“She is still a kid. Most probably, her strength could not cope with the weight of items for sacrifice to the river goddess that are put in the calabash. She will grow up and begin to perform that function before long. It is a duty that is spiritually and physically demanding.”

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Photographer explains reason for twist

A digital photographer, dewunmilagos, who was present to capture the glimpses explained the reason a grown male elder assisted Osunbunmi to carry the calabash.

In a Facebook post, he clarified that:

" Osunbunmi carried it at some point but It was heavy and since the last Arugba (Osuntomi) is married, she won’t be able to carry on Osunbunmi’s behalf. Baba Oosa had to step in”

Also, they shown her the places she will pay homage whenever she’s carrying the sacred calabash. "

We can call it a course that she is going through and very soon, she’d be strong enough and ready. "

Yes! This also counts as part of the years she’s carrying the Sacred calabash"

Babayemi graces festival

Beyond the ceremonial change, the festival drew attention from political figures, including Osun State governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Dotun Babayemi.

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In a statement through his media office, Babayemi urged the preservation of Yoruba cultural artefacts and relics, warning that key aspects of the culture, including the language, are under threat.

He stated that maintaining cultural festivals across Yoruba land would help preserve historical identity and strengthen unity.

“Our culture is our identity and our selling point. We must all strive to protect and preserve it. It’s our common ancestry heritage which separates us from others and this we must keep jealously,” Babayemi said.

He further called for a “conscious cultural rebirth” to instill pride and knowledge of heritage in younger generations.

“The celebration of our various cultures links us with the past to foster our unity of today and tomorrow,” he added, congratulating the people of Osogbo on this year’s festival

Osun Osogbo: History behind the festival

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Osun Osogbo which started hundreds of years ago always attracts tourists from all over the world.

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During the festival that holds around August, worshippers come into the river to make prayers to the goddess.

A significant part of the festival is the Arugba procession as a girl chosen for that task must reflect purity.

Source: Legit.ng