10-year-old carries sacred calabash for first time at Nigeria's Osun-Osogbo Festival

The annual Osun-Osogbo Festival in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, saw a significant moment as 10-year-old Princess Alimot Osunbunmi carried the sacred calabash for the first time. Known as the Arugba, this young maiden holds a revered position in the traditional Yoruba festival.

Alimot's procession to the Osun Sacred Grove marks a milestone in her tenure. She was selected as the new Arugba through traditional Ifa divination in March 2025, succeeding Osuntomi Ewatomi. Last year, due to her young age and the physical demands of carrying the heavy calabash, a male chief priest, Baba Osun Adesina, carried it while Alimot led the procession. This year, however, she fulfilled the traditional responsibility.

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The Arugba has been fortified! Ìdáfá Arugba is now done and dusted. Arugba takes the required sacrifice to Èṣù on behalf of the whole of the land of Òṣogbo.

Cultural content creator Wàá Ṣeré announced on X that Alimot had completed the necessary traditional Ifa rites, stating, "The Arugba has been fortified! Ìdáfá Arugba is now done and dusted." He further noted her upcoming procession to carry the sacred calabash to the "motherly spirit that dwells in fresh waters."

The Arugba is a pivotal figure in the Osun-Osogbo Festival, traditionally chosen from the royal lineage. This maiden serves as a symbolic link between the community and Ọ̀ṣun, the Yoruba river goddess. Alimot's successful carrying of the calabash signifies her readiness and acceptance into this sacred role, underscoring the continuity of ancient traditions.

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Tomorrow, she carries the sacred calabash of Ọ̀ṣun to the motherly spirit that dwells in fresh waters. Ore Yèyé Ọ̀ṣun o!