Osogbo, the Osun State capital, is agog today as devotees, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts gather for the 2026 Osun-Osogbo Festival.

The world-renowned festival, recognized by UNESCO is a Cultural Heritage, honors Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility, water, and prosperity.

Highlights of today’s celebration include the traditional cleansing of the town, cultural dances, drumming, and the symbolic procession to the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, and the Arugba, the ceremonial calabash-bearing virgin, will lead prayers for peace, unity, and bountiful harvest.

Every August, the festival attracts thousands of visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora, boosting tourism and showcasing Yoruba spirituality and art.

Osun State Government says this year’s edition will further project the state as a hub for cultural tourism.

The Osun-Osogbo Festival is over 600 years old. It centers on the Osun Sacred Grove, home to shrines, sculptures, and artworks dedicated to Osun. The climax is when the Arugba leads a procession to make offerings at the river. It’s both a spiritual event and a major tourism driver for Osun State