Alimot Osunbunmi is the new Arugba Osun Osogbo, chosen after the divination process in March by Osun devotees to begin a new era of carrying the yearly sacred calabash to the Osun Osogbo River.

The nine-year-old virgin succeeded Arugba Osuntomi, who carried the sacred calabash for over a decade, precisely 11 years.

As the new Arugba, Osunbunmi is currently leading the sacred procession for the 2025 Osun Osogbo Festival, carrying a sacred calabash filled with ritual offerings to the Osun goddess at the Osun Osogbo grove, a key aspect of the centuries-old festival.

Tribune Online learnt that Osunbunmi is from a royal family and, as tradition dictates, is a virgin who was selected by Ifa, the Yoruba deity of divination. The new Arugba will hold the position until further notice.

Who is Arugba?

Arugba is an Osun calabash-carrying votary virgin, which is a traditional allegory of the Virgin Mary. The calabash contains sacrifices intended to be made as offerings to the Osun goddess. The Arugba is now worshipped as a goddess rather than just a virgin maid, and when she carries the calabash and leads the crowd to the river, people pray to her and blame all of their problems on her.

The mystic calabash

According to findings, the mystic calabash being carried by the calabash bearer is thought to have been given to the Osogbo forefathers by the goddess Osun, who stipulated that a royal virgin lady must transport it to the grove on the festival day. The Arugba is closely watched by the Olose (also known as Whip Boys) as she travels to and from the grove because she must avoid stepping on a stone or stump, as this would send the wrong message to the populace.

Rituals

One of the main attractions of the Osun-Osogbo festival is a virgin votary carrying a calabash on her head, bearing the offerings that would be made in order to please and worship the goddess. People throw their concerns at her and offer prayers as she leads the procession to the river because they recognise her as a goddess-representative. The Arugba?s hitch-free journey from the palace to the groove is therefore crucial to the festival?s success. (Nigerian Tribune)

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