By Peter Omopo
Osogbo | August 4, 2025
As part of activities leading up to the grand finale of the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, devotees and groups of traditionalists on Monday gathered at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, to pay homage during the traditional “Ibori Ade” ceremony.
The colourful event featured a vibrant display of Yoruba culture with drumming, traditional chants, and ceremonial rites performed by chiefs and worshippers of the Osun goddess.
The “Ibori Ade” is a revered segment of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, dedicated to honouring the deities of the land, especially the Osun goddess, and paying tribute to past rulers of Osogbo. The rites are believed to invoke fruitfulness, protection, and spiritual blessings upon the community.
Speaking during the event, Oba Olanipekun described the ceremony as an act of spiritual reverence and gratitude to the earth goddess. He called for continued prayers and peaceful conduct throughout the festival period.
“I urge all participants to maintain peace and avoid any form of disturbance before, during, and after the festival. Let us uphold the sanctity of this tradition,” the monarch said.
The Osun-Osogbo Festival, which traces its origins back several centuries, is held annually in the Osun Sacred Grove, located on the outskirts of Osogbo, the Osun State capital. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, the grove remains one of the few surviving sacred forests in Yorubaland.
For the people of Osogbo, the festival is not just a religious event but also a symbolic cleansing of the town and a time for cultural reunion with their ancestors and the founders of the kingdom.
The grand finale of the festival is scheduled to take place on Friday, drawing thousands of visitors, tourists, and traditional worshippers from across the globe.
