It is one of the several rivers ascribed in local mythology to have been women who turned into flowing waters after some traumatic event frightened or angered them. Osun River in Osun state-source of origin. It is a sacred and reserved area where dirt and other unlawful activities are not meant to take place.
Why did Osun become a river?
In Yoruba cosmology, Osun was said to have metamorphosed into a river as a result of a misunderstanding between her and “Oba”, a co-wife of Sango. The Osun River takes its source from Igede-Ekiti, flows through Ilesha to Osogbo town and empties itself in the Atlantic Ocean.
What is the story of Osun River?
River Osun takes its source from Igede-Ekiti through Ilesha and the grove in Osogbo. The Osun goddess established her kingdom there. The sacred river is one of the highlights at the Osun-Oshogbo festival. It is believed to hold the power of fertility.
What is history of Osun-Osogbo?
The Osun-Osogbo Festival is believed to have a history of more than 700 years. Historically, an ancestral occurrence led to the celebration of this festival. Once upon a time, a group of migrating people who were led by a great hunter called Olutimehin settled on the bank of Osun river to save themselves from famine.
How is the arugba chosen?
Consequent upon the importance of this role, the Arugba is carefully chosen by the priests. Sources say that as soon as these votary maids are picked, they live under the watchful eyes of the Ataoja during the periods that they serve as Arugba.
38 related questions foundIs Oshun My orisha?
Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. She is considered one of the most powerful of all orishas, and, like other gods, she possesses human attributes such as vanity, jealousy, and spite.
Why does Oshun wear yellow?
When she came down to earth, she wore a gold dress and jewellery. This is the reason why her worshippers also wear gold and yellow attires in festivals honouring her. When the gods came down, they completely disregarded Oshun while they engaged in the work of creating the earth.
What is Oshun's daughter?
Oshún is a Yoruba orisha, daughter of Yemoja a Nigerian river goddess. Oshún is protector of the family and pregnant women. This mural of a daughter of Oshún was painted by Joel Bergner in 2008.
What does Oshun help with?
Oshun is both a creator and a healer. Followers call on Oshun for help with fertility and to cure ailments when medicine doesn't work. Oshun's energy can heal and create life, but she can also take it away if she feels that we are ungrateful for what she has given.
Who is the strongest orisha?
Ṣàngó is viewed as the most powerful and feared of the orisha pantheon. He casts a "thunderstone" to earth, which creates thunder and lightning, to anyone who offends him. Worshippers in Yorubaland in Nigeria do not eat cowpea because they believe that the wrath of the god of iron would descend on them.
How do you greet Oshun?
How do I call Oshun? To call upon Her, the proper greeting is, “Ori Ye Ye O”. She is identified with the new crescent Moon and Venus.
What is the purpose of the Osun Osogbo festival?
The festival of Osun-Osgobo, which takes place every year in Osogbo, Nigeria, celebrates the goddess of fertility, Osun. The festival renews the contract between humans and the divine: Osun offers grace to the community; in return, it vows to honor her Sacred Grove.
How do they celebrate Osun festival?
The five-day event of celebrations happens in August. This Nigerian festival attracts tourists within and outside the country swarming the street of Osogbo to join the annual rites, with thousands escorting the maiden calabash bearer to the shrine to show gratitude to the Osun goddess.
How do you know if your child is Oshun?
She is one of the most popular and venerated orishas. If you see the number 5 a lot (my two most recent apartments were on the 5th floor), are attracted to the color yellow or gold and enjoy sweets, specifically honey, then you too may be a child of Oshun.
Who is Oshun married to?
Oshun is believed to have had many lovers and husbands, but her marriage to Shango, the Yoruba sky god of thunder and drumming, is the relationship most often discussed. (Because Shango is also married to her sisters.)
What number is Oshun?
associated with the number five. Oshun often carries a mirror so that she can admire her beauty. She loves honey, sunflowers, oranges, cinnamon, and pumpkin, and her favorite birds are peacocks and vultures.
What is Osun English?
Camwood is also known as African Sandalwood or Osun in yoruba. It is a shrubby, leguminous, hard-wooded tree from Central West Africa.
What are the 7 African powers?
Another common initiation is the intitiation into the Seven African Powers (Elegua, Obatala, Oggun, Chango, Yemaya, Oshun, and Orunmilla).
What does Maferefun Oshun mean?
Maferefun Oshun! Osun, (also spelled Oshun) is the cosmological force of fresh water (rivers, streams and lakes). She reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare (Supreme being/God) in the Yoruba Orisha pantheon. Egyptian Mythology.
What is Nigeria's nickname?
Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a diverse West African country. Nicknamed the "Giant of Africa," Nigeria is home to hundreds of different ethnicities, languages and butterfly species.
How old is Osun?
The modern State of Osun was created on 27 August 1991 from part of the old Oyo State.
What is the Colour of Osun State?
This emblem has a brown colour which emphasizes the unity of the black skin as well as the soil. Also, the coat of arms has a cocoa tree which symbolises agriculture and the natural resources of the land.
Who is arugba Osun?
The main attraction of the festival is the Arugba, a virgin maiden who is supposed to help the people communicate with the deity, who leads a procession of devotees to offer sacrifices to the river. The Arugba, also known as the 'calabash carrier', has a large calabash on her head underneath a colourful veil.
