Nigeria is one of the world’s most exciting countries to visit. Bursting with noise, culture, colour, it is certainly a destination for a seasoned traveller and can be extremely rewarding. Outside of Lagos there is so much to explore in the country and one of those premier sites that should not be missed is the Osun-Osogbo Sacred grove which is one of only two official UNESCO sites in the country.
What is the Sacred Grove of Osun?
The Sacred Grove of Osun lies on the banks of the Osun River on the outskirts of Osogbo in Osun State. This area is one of the last remaining primary high forested regions left in Nigeria and is home to a sacred complex. The complex itself contains more than 40 shrines, 2 palaces, 9 river worship points and numerous sacred points. The complex is dedicated to the Yoruba Goddess by the same name Osun, who represents fertility water and femininity. She is considered one of the most powerful orishas (devine spirit) in the Yoruba pantheon.
How did it begin?
The Sacred Grove traces its origins back over 400 years ago and began as a sacred boundary between the nearby city and the wild. Previously every Yoruba city used to have its own sacred grove however due to expanding cities this is the last remaining example of a sacred grove in Yoruba Nigeria. The shrines reached their height in the 19 th century when these shrines were extremely prevalent across the region. However by the mid 20 th century most of them fell into neglect and disrepair.
Why did the Sacred Grove of Osun survive?
Well funnily this is largely down to an Austrian lady by the name of Sussanne Wenger who came to Nigeria in the 1950s and converted to the Yoruba religion. She was crucial in reinvigorating the grove with new statues, protecting it from developers and general upkeep of the shrine. She is responsible for protecting the space where many of the striking art from local artists which can now be displayed in the sacred grove. She remained in Osogbo until 2009 when she died at the age of 93.
The annual Osogbo-Osun Festival
Every year in August there is a 2-week celebration that attracts more than 100,000 people from all over the world to the Sacred Grove. Not only is this one of the most colourful displays in all of west African but this is also one of the most important religious holidays for the Yoruba people. During the 2 weeks you will see music performances, dances, ritual processions and so many colourful outfits. The town of Osogbo can get very busy so it is always advised to plan ahead or travel with a local to get the full experience.
What to see inside the grove?
There is a forest trail along the river which will take you past the many sculptures. The sculptures themselves represent the person who created them. Some of the sculptures are very old but many of them are from the 1950s onwards which blends ancient African art with modern art making for some very cool pieces.
The river through the grove is also considered sacred and is believed to be the living embodiment of the goddess Osun herself. There are 9 points of worship along the river all with their own priest or priestess. During the festival the river is a focal point for many prayers and worship-related activities.
There are also two palaces that are still functioning parts of the site and represent the two caretakes over the site the Alafin and Ataoja.
Are outsiders allowed to visit?
Yes, you can go and visit the grove and visit the statues and the river. There may be some parts that could be off limits due to a ceremony during your visit, but the majority of the site is open to visitors. Note that with a visit to any voodoo religious site that there are always some sacred areas that only the high priest or priestess may enter.
What wildlife is there?
Being one of the last remaining areas of primary forest in Nigeria it still has numerous wild animals living in it from more than 150 species of bird to other types of rare monkeys and antelope. There are also over 400 types of plants half of which are used in traditional African medicines.
How to get to Osogbo
The best way to get there would be to join a Saiga group tour, or a private tour to Osun State which we can organise for you. To see what African tour departure dates we have that have Nigeria, check out our website here.
There are also buses that run daily from Lagos to Osogbo. It is however advisable to travel with a guide when going outside of Lagos as there are numerous checkpoints on the way and being with a local can make this go faster.
To secure your place or book a private tour, send us an email to [email protected]
