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As Male Priest Carries Sacred Calabash
- Safiu Kehinde
Osogbo, Osun state capital, on Thursday witnessed massive influx of residents, traditionalists, and culture vultures who gathered at the sacred monumental groove in celebration of the Osun River deity festival.
The Osun-Osogbo fesitval has over the years become one of Nigeria’s most recognizable traditional events.
It annually records mammoth attendance which also include tourists from outside the shores of the country.
This year’s edition which started on the 28th of July was not exceptional as its grand finale marked by the revered procession to the Ọṣun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, took place on yesterday.
Meanwhile the key spiritual high point of the festival is usually the Arugba’s symbolic voyage, in which a virgin girl takes offerings to the Ọṣun River.
According to reports It is thought that this rite renews the old relationship between the People and the Orisa Ọṣun.
There was however a twist at the groove as a male priest carried the symbolic white calabash called ‘Igba Osun’, a role preserved for the virgin girl.
The development was attributed to the exit of the former Arugba, Osuntomi Ewatomilola, who married last year August after performing the sacred duty for 12 years.
With the role usually played by a female virgin from the royal family in the town that must have been chosen by the Ifa oracle, Osuntomi was replaced in March this year by Alimot Osunbunmi.
The new Arugba was spotted in front of the male priest who carried the white calabash meant for her.
According to reports, sources close to Ile Osun, located inside the Ataoja’s palace, identified the Osun Chief Priest who carried as Adesina.
A traditionalist, Olawale Osunfemi, who spoke with the Punch admitted to the unusual scene but explained that it might have borne out of the consideration of the new Arugba’s strength.
“It is not unusual. The likely reason may be due to the strength of the new Arugba.
“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.” he said.
He continued, “She will grow up and begin to perform that function before long. It is a duty that is spiritually and physically demanding.”