#Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove

[dejahisashmom]

Oshun: African Goddess of Love and Sweet Waters | Ancient Origins

https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-africa/oshun-african-goddess-love-and-sweet-waters-002908

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#Africa #Benin #Diaspora #Goddess #Ibo-Osun #Nigeria #Obatala #Orisha #Orishi #Oshun #Oshun River #Osogbo #Osun #Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove #Sacred Grove #UNESCO World Heritage Site #West Africa #Yoruba Culture #Yoruba People

[kvetch19]

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove

#nigeria #nature #osun osogbo #sacred #sacred grove

[virginsmusicmedia]

Davido Builds Osun-Osogbo; Sacred Grove In New York City

Davido Builds Osun-Osogbo; Sacred Grove In New York City

Nigerian singer, Davido wasn’t capping when he said he will bring Africa to America.The FEM singer in his interview with Trevor Noah revealed he will be using only African brands for his Tour. According to him, it is his way of helping hardworking Africans- Nigerians raise and also promote their business to the Westerners. Many thought he was capping, but after the prop, Davido and his team…

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#davido #Davido Builds Osun-Osogbo; Sacred Grove In New York City

[ancientorigins]

The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nigeria, encapsulating 75 hectares of Yoruba cultural richness. Dedicated to Osun, the goddess of fertility, this sanctuary boasts around 40 shrines, ancient sculptures, and the meandering Osun River. The annual Osun-Osogbo Festival adds a burst of color, drawing pilgrims and tourists to witness the sacred rituals.

Beyond spirituality, it's a conservation triumph. Threatened by encroachment, the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove Conservation Foundation and the Osun State Government joined hands. Now, this haven, with over 400 plant species, including medicinal ones, stands as the last bastion of Nigeria's primary high forests.

The blend of ancient traditions and 20th-century sculptures makes it a symbol of Yoruba identity, connecting past, present, and future. Discover the herbal pharmacy, witness the vibrant Osun River rituals, and join the global effort to preserve this timeless symbol of cultural resilience and natural beauty.

#Osun #Oshun #goddess #Yoruba #Nigeria #forest #pilgrim #UNESCO #shrine

[divinum-pacis]

2022: Carvings of orisas and other Yoruba spiritual symbols at the Osun Osogbo sacred grove. [Eromo Egbejule/Al Jazeera]

#religion #yoruba #orishas #orisha #deities #nigeria #africa #divinum-pacis

[robertobaoriate]

Oshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. She is considered one of the most powerful of all orishas, and, like other gods, she possesses human attributes such as vanity, jealousy, and spite.

Several myths exist concerning Oshun and her significance as a Yoruba deity. In most Yoruba stories, Oshun is generally depicted as the protector, saviour, or nurturer of humanity. Oshun has also been described as the maintainer of spiritual balance or mother of sweet things. One myth highlights Oshun as the central figure in the creation of human beings. The Yoruba people believe that the orishas were sent by Olodumare, who is considered the Supreme God, to populate the Earth. Oshun, being one of the original 17 sent to Earth, was the only female deity. The other gods, all male, failed at their attempts to revive and populate the Earth. When they realized they were unable to complete the task given to them by Olodumare, they tried to persuade Oshun to help them. Oshun agreed and brought forth her sweet and powerful waters, bringing life back to Earth and humanity and other species into existence. As that Yoruba myth suggests, humanity would not exist if Oshun, the goddess of life and fertility, had not acted.

Other myths hold that Oshun is one of the wives of Shango, the god of thunder. She is commonly described as the favourite of all orishas by Olodumare, because of her beauty and sensuality. In yet another Yoruba story, Oshun is depicted as the goddess who not only gives life but also takes it. When angered, Oshun may flood Earth or destroy crops by withholding her waters, thereby causing massive droughts. In one myth, Oshun is incensed by her devotees and sends down rain, nearly flooding the world. Yet once she has been appeased, Oshun saves Earth from destruction by calling back the waters.

Tradition holds that the first interaction between Oshun and human beings took place in Osogbo (Oshogbo), Nigeria. That city is considered sacred, and it is believed to be fiercely protected by the water goddess. Oshun is said to have given the people who went to her river permission to build the city and promised to provide for them, protect them, and grant their prayers if they worshipped her dutifully, making the obligatory offerings, prayers, and other rituals. Out of that first encounter between the people of Osogbo and Oshun evolved the Oshun festival, which is still practiced today by the Yoruba people. Every year Oshun devotees and other people of the Yoruba religious tradition go to the Oshun River to pay homage, make sacrifice, and ask for a variety of things such as wealth, children, and better health. Although other orishas are honoured during the festival, the climax of the festival is centred on Oshun. Osogbo is also home to the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a forest that contains several shrines and artwork in honour of Oshun; it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.

Oshun is especially important to women in West African cultures. Those who want children and who may suffer from infertility usually call on Oshun for assistance, and she is associated with the concepts of femininity and the power of women. More widely, she is sought after in times of drought or severe poverty. With the impact of the transatlantic slave trade and dispersion of Yoruba culture, Oshun is also an important figure outside Africa, where she is known by other names, such as Oxum in Brazil and Ochún in Cuba.

Existen varios mitos sobre Oshun y su significado como deidad yoruba. En la mayoría de las historias yoruba, Oshun generalmente se representa como el protector, salvador o nutridor de la humanidad. Oshun también ha sido descrita como la mantenedora del equilibrio espiritual o madre de las cosas dulces. Un mito destaca a Oshun como la figura central en la creación de los seres humanos. El pueblo Yoruba cree que los orishas fueron enviados por Olodumare, quien es considerado el Dios Supremo, para poblar la Tierra. Oshun, siendo uno de los 17 originales enviados a la Tierra, era la única deidad femenina. Los demás dioses, todos varones, fracasaron en sus intentos de revivir y poblar la Tierra. Cuando se dieron cuenta de que no podían completar la tarea que les había dado Olodumare, trataron de persuadir a Oshun para que los ayudara. Oshun estuvo de acuerdo y trajo sus aguas dulces y poderosas, devolviendo la vida a la Tierra, a la humanidad y a otras especies a la existencia. Como sugiere ese mito yoruba, la humanidad no existiría si Oshun, la diosa de la vida y la fertilidad, no hubiera actuado.

La tradición sostiene que la primera interacción entre Oshun y los seres humanos tuvo lugar en Osogbo (Oshogbo), Nigeria. Esa ciudad se considera sagrada y se cree que está ferozmente protegida por la diosa del agua. Se dice que Oshun dio permiso a las personas que iban a su río para construir la ciudad y prometió proveer para ellos, protegerlos y conceder sus oraciones si la adoraban debidamente, haciendo las ofrendas, oraciones y otros rituales obligatorios. De ese primer encuentro entre la gente de Osogbo y Oshun evolucionó el festival de Oshun, que todavía se practica hoy en día por el pueblo yoruba. Cada año los devotos de Oshun y otras personas de la tradición religiosa yoruba van al río Oshun a rendir homenaje, hacer sacrificios y pedir una variedad de cosas como riqueza, hijos y mejor salud. Aunque otros orishas son honrados durante el festival, el clímax del festival se centra en Oshun. Osogbo también alberga la Arboleda Sagrada de Osun-Osogbo, un bosque que contiene varios santuarios y obras de arte en honor a Oshun; fue designado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO en 2005.

Oshun es especialmente importante para las mujeres en las culturas de África Occidental. Aquellos que quieren hijos y que pueden sufrir de infertilidad suelen llamar a Oshun para que los ayude, y ella está asociada con los conceptos de feminidad y el poder de la mujer. Más ampliamente, es buscada en tiempos de sequía o pobreza severa. Con el impacto de la trata transatlántica de esclavos y la dispersión de la cultura yoruba, Oshun también es una figura importante fuera de África, donde se la conoce con otros nombres, como Oxum en Brasil y Ochún en Cuba.

#aprendiendoconrobertobaoriate

#robertobaoriate

#oshun

#osun

[enchanted-moura]

“Oṣun is honored at the Osun-Osogbo Festival, a two-week-long annual festival that usually takes place in August, at the Oṣun-Osogbo Sacred Grove on the banks of the river. Oṣun is one of the 401 Yoruba gods”

There’s 401??? Goddamn the Spirit Realms are something otherwordly

[lifeofgaia01]

The Mystery of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria

The mysterious Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a landmass covering about 75 hectares of land and is dedicated to the Osun goddess of fertility. Located in Osogbo, a city in Osun State in Nigeria, Africa, this forest area is home to various sacred shrines devoted to different deities in Yoruba land. The area is considered sacred with a connection of different spiritual paths that link the major divisions together. The area seems perfectly created for sacred rituals as the Osun river cuts across the area and gives an ambiance of spiritual presence. There used to be similar popular places for rituals in Yoruba land but over time most of them were converted and only a few remain, the most important being the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. It is for this reason that it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2005 and stands out as one out of the two World Heritage sites in Nigeria at present.

The Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove is believed to house about forty shrines spread across the various parts of the forest and representing several different deities. The sacred nature of the grove makes it an attractive place for spiritual practices. As a sacred area, such activities as farming, hunting, and fishing are highly prohibited and only traditional healers are allowed to gather plants that grow there for use in their practices. The grove gets several visits per year from both the Yoruba worshipers who are consistent in their local worship and those who visit the place as a tourist center. Rituals are performed at the different shrines regularly by ardent worshippers of the different deities. There are many varieties of wild animals present in the forest area and they continue to increase in their numbers due to the banning of hunting activities and any form of disturbance from external influence.     

History of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove

There are several folktales connected to the origin of the Osun-Osogbo sacred grove. However, what is certain is that its history is highly connected to the history of the Yoruba culture and traditional religion in general. READ MORE...

#spiritual #deities #rituals #Osun-Osogbo Festival #traditions

[northsiderasta]

[accuratenewsng]

Why we are committed to worship of Osun goddess – Foreign devotees

Why we are committed to worship of Osun goddess – Foreign devotees

Some foreign devotees at the just concluded Osun-Osogbo festival have expressed belief in the sanctity of the Osun deity, saying the annual fiesta offers an opportunity for worship through the sacred grove. The tourists, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the grand finale of the festival in Osogbo, said the event gave them joy and a sense of belonging in the…

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#Osun goddess #Osun osogbo festival

[zoeflake]

© CRA-terre  Author: Thierry Joffroy 

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Nigeria whc.unesco.org

#CRA-terre #Thierry Joffroy #Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove #Nigeria #sacred

[lionheartapothecaryx]

ORISHA/ORISA OSHUN 🐝

Religious Pantheon: Ifa ( Originated in Nigeria) Candomblé Bantu & Ketu (Brazil) Santeria (Cuba, Puerto Rico & Trinidad)

Names/Avatars: Oxum, Osun, Ochun, Lady of Gold, Lady of Fertility & Moon, Oshun Ibu Kole, Ibu Akuaro, Ibu Ana etc

Catholic Syncretism : Our Lady of Charity & the Virgin of Guadalupe

Class: Elevated Ancestor, Spirit, Deity, Love Goddess

Associations: Rivers, Fresh Water, The Moon, Fertility, Femininity, Divinity, Love & Beauty. Witch Queen/Sorcery, Mermaid, Warrior Queen, Vultures, Machetes, Abebe, Honey, Bees, Mirrors

Working/Calling/Summoning:

Can only be called by her initiates.

Non initiates cannot summon or work with her without permission or guidance of a Iyanifa/Iyalawo/Orun Iyanifa/Iyanifa Balogun/Ekerin/Yeyelodu/Santero/Santera/Pai de Santo or Mae de Santo.

Additional Note:

Oshun has no connection to Haitian Vodou or the Lwa Ezili Freda or her veve.

Biography:

During the life of the mortal Osun, she served as queen consort to King Shango of Oyo. Following her posthumous deification, she was admitted to the Yoruba pantheon as an aspect of a primordial divinity of the same name.

When Olofi created the world, the heavens and earth he would communicate through the Ceiba Tree. But man defrauded the confidence of Olofi and he separated the heavens from the earth. From the beginning Olofi had given man everything to become humankind. They had not plowed nor planted anything. For this man began to die of hunger. Oshun, seeing this transformed into a vulture and took a full basket of bread and black-eyed peas to the heavens. There she found Olofi with hunger, and she fed him. Thankful for the food Olofi, asked what is it that she wanted in return for her favor. This is where she interceded for mankind. Olofi, said those that defrauded him, he could not do anything for. But, for her offering of the food, she would find halfway back down to earth a man that could help her. Upon reaching halfway down Oshun came upon Orisa Oko who farmed and saved. Oshun grabbed all she could that he had grown for hundreds of years that he gave her. She returned to the earth, with all she could carry. And fed her people. For her act of generosity, they crowned her queen.

She is the patron saint of the Osun River in Nigeria, which bears her name. The river has its source in Ekiti State, in the west of Nigeria, and passes through the city of Osogbo, where Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, the principal sanctuary of the deity, is located. They say she lives in a cave that still exists today in Ijesa, Nigeria north towards the river Nile. Although this Goddess is adored in many parts of Yorubaland, it is in the City of Osogbo, where her river passes, where she has a larger group of believers.

Considered the owner of all rivers, she was raised on the bosom of Yemaya, who gave her the fortune of the sweet waters to be her home. This is found in the Odun of OseChe, where Oshun, in her efforts to help the world loses her fortune. After this she began to wash clothes at the river and people would pay her with coins. One day, her coin fell in the water and the current took the coin to the sea. She began to beg Yemaya and Olokun to return her last coin, for it was all she had to buy food for her children. The gods were moved by her story and pulled the great seas back till Oshun could see the riches at the bottom of the seven seas. But Oshun only picked up her coin that she had lost and turned away. The Gods not understanding why she would only take her coin and nothing else, said;

"For your honor and honesty, we will give you part of our riches and the river as your home, but never again give it all away."

Oshun also gained the power of Egun in the Odu Irete Yero . Oshun lived with Ayaguna, but she left him because of the Igbin he would eat , this was a taboo for her. She also lived with Osain, Shango, Shakuana, Orunmila, Agayu, Orisha Oko , Oduduwa and Inle.  Oshun is the only one that can go as well to Oru.

She is the second wife of Chango and despite being the goddess of love suffers much heartbreak when Chango will not leave Oya, who some consider to be his true love.

#oshun #orisha #ifa #african traditional religions #hoodoo #oshunenergy #oshun goddess #love goddess #candomble #brujeria #witches of color #afro brazilian #afro latina #aphrodite #black femininity #black glamour #venus #leveling up #beauty spells #the love witch #haitianvodou #hypergamy #wicca #black witch #witchcraft #witchblr #bipoc witches

[hoodoogardens]

“Oshun is depicted as the goddess who not only gives life but takes it. Oshun saves the Earth from destruction by calling back the waters.” Here, an Osun priestess honors the goddess at the Osun-Osogbo Grove in Nigeria. Every year, the Osun-Osgogbo festival is celebrated in the month of August at the grove. Yearly, the festival attracts thousands of Osun worshippers, spectators and tourists from all walks of life. In recognition of its global significance and its cultural value, the Sacred Grove was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

#Oshun #osun #nigeria #osogbo #african sprituality #ancestors #african traditional religions #orishas #orixas #ifa #voodoo #santeria #hoodoo #african religion #yoruba #yoruba religion #west africa #unesco world heritage site #candomble #lucumi

[medullam]

Issue No. 3 of Boy.Brother.Friend, ph. Adetolani Davies [2021]

"The Osun-Osogbo is an annual festival held in western Nigerian city of Osogbo by the Yoruba people of Osun state. Known to be the biggest Yoruba traditional festival, the festival attracts thousands of spectators and worshipers globally in August every year. It's held in honor of Osun; a goddess of femininity, fertility, spirituality, emotions, sensuality, nurture, and love.

Emerging photographer Adetolani Davies documented this important annual moment within Yoruba culture. The landscape of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and its meandering river is dotted with sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures and art works in honour of Osun and other deities."

#adetolani davies #boy.brother.friend #photography #ogun state #nigeria #2021

[searchforuhuru]

The group at the Osun Festival in Osogbo, Nigeria. #naija #nigeria #culture #westafrica #africa #lagos #osun (at Osun Sacred Grove, Osogbo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTGHt7pt5WR/?utm_medium=tumblr

#naija #nigeria #culture #westafrica #africa #lagos #osun

[neomanpeter]

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a historic site you should visit

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a historic site you should visit

are you looking to travel to see the world most especially the historic sites, are you looking for a possible place to visit  that is creepy and beautiful at the same time ? then Osun Osogbo Grove in Nigeria  is were you should go.

Osun-Osogbo or Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a sacred forest along the banks of the Osun river just outside the city of Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. Wikipedia

The…

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#Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove #tourism site