The dense forest of the Osun Sacred Grove is located on the outskirts of the Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State. The grove which is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria, is regarded as the abode of the goddess of fertility – Osun – one of the pantheon of Yoruba gods! The landscape of the grove and its meandering river is dotted with sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures and artworks in honour of Osun and other deities.
The sacred grove, which is now seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, is probably the last in Yoruba culture. It testifies to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside all settlements.
The development of the movement of New Sacred Artists and the absorption of Suzanne Wenger, an Austrian artist, into the Yoruba community have proved to be a fertile exchange of ideas that revived the sacred Osun Grove.
The grove is the largest and perhaps the only remaining example of a once widespread phenomenon that used to characterise every Yoruba settlement. It now represents Yoruba sacred groves and their reflection of Yoruba cosmology.
Osun Grove is a tangible expression of Yoruba divinatory and cosmological systems; its annual festival is a living thriving and evolving response to Yoruba beliefs in the bond between people, their ruler and the Osun Goddess.
Osun, also known as Yemoja, is one of Yoruba Orisas and the goddess of all the waters on earth. The orisa Oshun is commemorated annually in an elaborated festival held on the bank of the Osun River. Osun is also celebrated in other parts of Africa and Brazil where the Orisa is referred to as Yemoja.
Museum of arts:
Osogbo city has one of the best museum of arts in Nigeria as a result of its position in the Yoruba cultural heritage. The city is culturally and historically enriched with many artifacts relatively important to the establishment of the city and of the Yoruba race entirely.
Osogbo arts and metal works:This is one of the top holiday destinations in Oshogbo is where metals are artistically crafted and shaped to make valuable items. Osogbo residents are known to be very artistic and the city has produced very many internationally recognised artists; among them are Nike Arts, Twin Seven Seven, Jimoh Braimoh and others.
Osun cultural festival:This is an annual event that takes place around August and September, and it attracts visitor from all over the globe. It provides an opportunity to visit the great Osun Grove, a sacred forest along the banks of the Osun river just outside the city of Osogbo.
Ataoja royal palace:
The palace is located in the heart of the city and its an ideal place for tourists to learn more about the city. It has a museum where all the historical facts about the establishment of the city are carefully preserved.
African huts: There some locally made hut chalets where visitors can relax or get refreshments after exploring the sacred grove and its tick forest as well as the Osun river.
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