Eight things to note about the grove

David Olagunju

February 14, 2017

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The grove was established over four centuries ago and its location is in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
Osun, who is regarded as the Yoruba goddess of fertility, has long enjoyed been the object of worship. Till date, the grove has enjoyed prominence as the largest, oldest, surviving grove.
There are shrines, sanctuaries and works of art placed along the course of the the Osun River which finds its way alongside the grove.
Some years back, artist and Yoruba cultural enthusiast, Susanne Wenger was at the forefront of the development of the movement of New Sacred Art. This move added the necessary verve which resulted in efforts not only to protect the grove but to ensure its longevity. This move also ensured the modernization of the sculptures which added to the overall spiritual essence of the place. Wenger who passed on in 2009 turned the grove into a huge artistic platform, celebrating Yoruba and African arts.
Remarkably, the Osun-Osogbo sacred grove was declared a World Heritage Site. This was in 2005.
The Yoruba goddess of fertility is regarded as the major inhabitant of the grove and her essence is daily played both by worshippers and visitors.
The grove remains a place of worship, and it is now the site of an annual festival. An annual processional festival to re-establish the mystic bonds between the goddess and the people of the town occurs every year over twelve days in July and August and thus sustains the living cultural traditions of the Yoruba people.
About forty shrines, beautiful works of arts can be found within the sanctuary. These art works and shrines have been erected in the worship and veneration of Osun goddess and other gods and goddesses that make up the Yoruba patheon. There are also worship points which are set along the river banks.

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