By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
OSOGBO, NIGERIA — History was made at the grand finale of the 2026 Osun-Osogbo Festival as 10-year-old Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi carried the sacred white calabash (Igba Osun) during the traditional procession to the UNESCO-listed Osun Sacred Grove on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Selected in March 2025 through traditional Ifa divination from the royal lineage of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Princess Alimot succeeded Osuntomi Ewatomi, who served as Arugba (votary maid) for 12 years before getting married.
Her performance during the 2026 festival marks a major milestone. During the 2025 edition, when she was nine years old, traditionalists opted to have a male chief priest, Baba Osun Adesina, carry the physical weight of the calabash while Alimot led the procession, citing the physical demands of the ritual object on her young age. Following the completion of her fortification rites (Ìdáfá Arugba), the young royal votary maid personally bore the sacred calabash to the river goddess Yeye Osun.
Key Operational Highlights
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First Time Bearing the Calabash: Princess Alimot Osunbunmi officially carried the sacred Igba Osun for the first time during her tenure as Arugba, transporting the community’s collective sacrificial offerings to the Osun Sacred Grove.
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Spiritual Lineage & Selection: Chosen through sacred Ifa oracle divination, the Arugba position requires a virgin maiden from the royal family to act as the spiritual bridge between the people of Osogbo and the river deity.
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Evolution from 2025: After leading the 2025 procession while Chief Priest Baba Osun carried the offering, her successful carriage of the calabash in 2026 fulfills her full ritual responsibilities.
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Global Cultural Heritage: Thousands of traditional worshippers, diaspora tourists, and cultural enthusiasts gathered in Osogbo for the annual procession, which features centuries-old Yoruba spiritual rites alongside cultural exhibitions.
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│ OSUN-OSOGBO FESTIVAL ARUGBA PROCESSION MATRIX │
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│ • Votary Maid (Arugba): Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi │
│ • Age : 10 Years │
│ • Royal Heritage : Royal Family of the Ataoja of Osogbo │
│ • Succession : Succeeded Osuntomi Ewatomi (Served 2012–2024) │
│ │
│ • Sacred Role : Carries the 'Igba Osun' (Sacred Calabash) │
│ containing sacrificial communal offerings │
│ │
│ • Location : Ataoja's Palace to Osun Sacred Grove, Osogbo │
│ • Event Date : Friday, August 7, 2026 │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘“The Arugba Has Been Fortified”
Announcing the completion of the traditional rites ahead of Friday’s grand procession, cultural commentary ,highlighted the spiritual preparation undertaken by the young princess:
“The Arugba has been fortified! Ìdáfá Arugba is now done and dusted. Arugba takes the required sacrifice to Èṣù on behalf of the whole of the land of Òṣogbo… She carries the sacred calabash of Ọ̀ṣun to the motherly spirit that dwells in fresh waters. Ore Yèyé Ọ̀ṣun o!” — Traditional Rites Announcement
“The Arugba, 10-year-old Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi, carries the heavy calabash which contains the community’s collective sacrificial offerings, meant to renew the ancient pact of peace, protection, and fertility signed centuries ago between the river goddess, Yeye Osun, and the city‘s mythical founders.” — Osun-Osogbo Cultural Festival Secretariat
