Meet 10-Year-Old Princess Leading Osun-Osogbo Festival

The ancient Yoruba cultural festival, Osun-Osogbo, is preparing for its 2026 celebration with a spotlight on its youngest-ever Arugba, 10-year-old Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi. The Arugba, a highly revered figure in the festival, carries the sacred calabash and serves the Osun deity.

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The selection of an Arugba is not by appointment or public nomination. According to tradition, the Ifa oracle guides the choice from among eligible girls within the royal family. The process is regarded as sacred and accepted by devotees as the will of the Osun deity.

Princess Alimot was selected through the traditional Ifa divination process in March 2025, succeeding Osuntomi Ewatomi, whose 12-year tenure ended upon her marriage. The Ifa oracle's guidance is considered the sacred and unquestionable will of the Osun deity in choosing the Arugba from eligible girls within the Ataoja of Osogbo's royal family.

This revered role comes with strict requirements, including the Arugba being a virgin from a royal lineage. Families consider it a great honor when a daughter is chosen. At just 10 years old, Alimot is among the youngest to assume this significant position, which influences how she performs her duties during the annual festival.

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One of the strict requirements for becoming the Arugba is that the chosen girl must be a virgin from a royal lineage. The role is regarded as sacred, and her purity is considered essential to the spiritual significance of the festival.

Notably, due to her young age and the physical demands of the role, Alimot did not carry the sacred calabash during the 2025 festival. Instead, a male chief priest, Baba Osun (Adesina), carried the object while the young Arugba led the procession. Traditionalists explained this decision was made to accommodate her age and the strenuous nature of carrying the sacred item, expressing confidence in her ability to fulfill her spiritual responsibilities.

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Unlike previous Arugbas, Alimot did not carry the sacred calabash during the last edition of the festival. Instead, a male chief priest, identified as Baba Osun (Adesina), carried the calabash while the young Arugba led the procession. Traditionalists explained that the decision was made because of her young age and the physical demands of carrying the sacred object.