A new twist was witnessed during the 2025 Osun Osogbo festival when a male chief priest, rather than the traditional votary maid, carried the sacred white calabash known as ‘Igba Osun’ during the grand procession to the Osun sacred grove on Friday.
The Arugba, according to culture have always been the domain of a female virgin.
This significant deviation from tradition came despite the selection of a new Arugba Osun, Miss Alimot Osunbunmi, in March.
Osunbunmi, a young female from a royal lineage, was chosen by the Ifa oracle to replace Miss Osuntomi Ewatomilola, who held the role for 12 years before getting married in August 2024.
The Arugba, DAILY POST gathered typically leads the procession and carries the calabash containing sacrificial items to the Osun River, believed to be the abode of the goddess Osun.
However, during this year’s event, Osunbunmi walked ahead of the group while the Osun Chief Priest, identified only as Adesina, bore the calabash.
Confirming the development, an anonymous source at Ile Osun in the Ataoja’s palace, stated that the calabash was not handed to Osunbunmi at any point in the procession.
He said, “It was Baba Osun, Adesina, who carried the calabash, not the Arugba.”
Security during the festival was tight, with personnel from the military, Department of State Services, DSS, and other agencies ensuring the safety of the large crowd and dignitaries who attended the grand finale in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
DAILY POST recalled that both the Osun State Police Command and the Osun Amotekun had assured residents, attendees and devotees of the protection of lives and properties during the grand finale of the festival.
While the exact reason for the shift in tradition was not officially stated, a traditionalist, Olawale Osunfemi, offered an explanation, saying the new Arugba may have lacked the physical strength to carry out the duty.
“She is still a kid. Most probably, her strength could not cope with the weight of items for sacrifice to the river goddess.
“It is not unusual. She will grow up and begin to perform that function before long. It is a duty that is spiritually and physically demanding,” he said.
