The ‘Arugba’ also known as the ‘Calabash carrier’ is the key figure of the Osun Osogbo festival.

She is a votary virgin, a cultural version of the Virgin Mary, who bears the Osun calabash on her head.

The calabash contains sacrifice for the goddess. The Arugba is not only seen as a virgin maid but also as a goddess so people pray and tell her all their problems as she leads them, with the calabash on her head to the river.

The current Arugba, Osuntomi Oyetunji, is the young daughter of the sitting Ataoja of Osogbo.

The Osun festival started as an annual sacrifice to the river goddess. Presently, it is an international celebration of cultural events.

The Osun Osogbo festival is no longer a cultural event of the Osogbo or Yoruba people, it has become a global event with people attending from Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Spain, Canada, and the United States.

Adherents of Osun goddess travel from all over the world to attend the annual cultural event in Osogbo, Osun State. The traditional ruler of Osogbo Town, the Ataoja of Osogbo - HRM Oba Jimoh Olanpekun Larooye II.

Ọṣùn ṣẹ̀ngẹ̀ṣẹ̀ ooo
Oré Yèyé ooo

Ọdún Àyàbò oooooooo