Introducing 10-Year-Old Arugba, the Young Star of This Year's Osun-Osogbo Celebration

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As preparations gather pace for the 2026 Osun-Osogbo Festival, attention has turned to 10-year-old Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi, the young girl serving as the new Arugba, one of the most revered figures in the centuries-old Yoruba cultural festival.

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Alimot, who was selected through the traditional Ifa divination process in March 2025, succeeded Osuntomi Ewatomi, who served as Arugba for about 12 years before getting married.

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Here are key things to know about the young Arugba and her role ahead of this year’s festival.

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Who is the new Arugba?

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Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi is a 10-year-old girl from the royal family of the Ataoja of Osogbo.

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She emerged as the new Arugba after traditional Ifa divination identified her as the chosen maiden to serve the Osun deity.

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Her emergence followed the end of the tenure of the previous Arugba, whose marriage automatically brought her service to an end.

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She was chosen through Ifa divination

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The selection of an Arugba is not by appointment or public nomination.

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According to tradition, the Ifa oracle guides the choice from among eligible girls within the royal family.

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The process is regarded as sacred and accepted by devotees as the will of the Osun deity.

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She is described as a virgin

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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.

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The role is regarded as sacred, and her purity is considered essential to the spiritual significance of the festival.

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Families whose daughters are selected often regard it as a great honour.

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She is among the youngest Arugbas in recent years

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At just Nine years old, Alimot became one of the youngest girls to assume the revered position.

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Her age has also influenced how she performs her duties during the annual festival.

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She did not carry the sacred calabash in 2025

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Unlike previous Arugbas, Alimot did not carry the sacred calabash during the last edition of the festival.

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Instead, a male chief priest, identified as Baba Osun (Adesina), carried the calabash while the young Arugba led the procession.

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Traditionalists explained that the decision was made because of her young age and the physical demands of carrying the sacred object.

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They expressed confidence that she would assume the full responsibility when she is older.

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The Arugba leads one of the festival’s most important processions

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Although she did not carry the calabash, Alimot walked at the front of the procession leading worshippers to the Osun Sacred Grove.

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The Arugba remains the symbolic link between the Osun deity and devotees, making her one of the festival’s central figures.

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What does the Arugba represent?

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The Arugba is believed to carry the prayers, hopes and sacrifices of the people to the Osun River goddess.

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Traditionally, she bears a sacred calabash containing ritual offerings to the Osun grove.

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Many worshippers believe the Arugba spiritually carries away the burdens and prayers of the community during the procession.

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About the Osun-Osogbo Festival

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The Osun-Osogbo Festival is one of Nigeria’s oldest traditional festivals and is centred around the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Celebrated annually in Osogbo, Osun State, it attracts thousands of traditional worshippers, tourists and cultural enthusiasts from Nigeria and abroad.

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The 2026 festival is scheduled to hold from August 7 to August 19, featuring traditional rites, cultural displays, drumming, dancing and the famous Arugba procession.

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A centuries-old tradition

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The festival traces its origin to the founders of Osogbo more than 600 years ago.

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According to Yoruba tradition, the Osun River goddess protected the early settlers and established a covenant with the people, who have continued to honour her through the annual celebration.

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Other important rites during the festival include the cleansing of the town, the veneration of the Ataoja’s crown, traditional sacrifices and the final Osun Ajigun ceremony.

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