10-Year-Old Princess Makes History as Youngest Arugba to Carry Sacred Calabash at Osun-Osogbo Festival Grand Finale

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The ancient city of Osogbo erupted in a spectacular display of culture, spirituality and celebration on Friday as the 2026 Osun-Osogbo Festival reached its grand finale, with 10-year-old Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi making history by carrying the revered sacred calabash during the annual Arugba procession for the first time.

The landmark moment drew hundreds of thousands of worshippers, traditionalists, tourists and cultural enthusiasts to Osun State for the climax of the over 600-year-old festival, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most significant spiritual and cultural celebrations.

Amid the thunderous sounds of talking drums, traditional chants and colourful performances, the young princess embarked on the sacred mile-long journey from the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun (Larooye II), to the UNESCO-listed Osun Sacred Grove, carrying the calabash containing the community’s spiritual offerings to the Osun River goddess.

Her successful completion of the sacred rite marked a historic milestone in the festival’s long history.

During the 2025 edition of the festival, Princess Alimot, because of her age, only led the Arugba procession while a priest carried the sacred calabash. This year’s ceremony, however, saw the young royal complete the full ritual herself, symbolising the renewal of the ancient covenant between the people of Osogbo and the Osun deity for peace, protection, fertility, prosperity and communal well-being.

The Arugba procession remains the spiritual highlight of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, with the virgin maiden traditionally serving as the sacred bearer of the community’s prayers and offerings to the river goddess. The role is regarded as one of the most revered cultural and spiritual responsibilities in Yorubaland.

As the procession moved through the streets of Osogbo, thousands of spectators lined the roads to witness the historic event. Women dressed in brilliant yellow attire—closely associated with the Osun goddess—danced joyfully alongside drummers and traditional performers, creating a breathtaking cultural spectacle that transformed the ancient city into a sea of colour and celebration.

Many worshippers stretched out their hands in prayer as the Arugba passed, while others followed the procession to the sacred grove to collect water from the Osun River, which devotees believe possesses healing, cleansing and fertility powers.

The 2026 festival, themed “Preserving Heritage, Inspiring the Future,” ran from July 27 to August 7 and featured a series of traditional rites, cultural exhibitions, music, dance performances and community activities celebrating the enduring legacy of Yoruba civilisation.

Security agencies maintained a heavy presence throughout the celebration, with police officers deployed across major roads, the Osun Sacred Grove and other strategic locations to ensure a peaceful event. The elaborate security arrangements enabled the massive crowd to participate without major incidents.

Princess Alimot, who was selected through traditional Ifa divination in 2025 from the Ataoja’s royal lineage, has emerged as the defining symbol of this year’s festival. Images and videos of the young princess carrying the sacred calabash quickly spread across social media, drawing admiration from Nigerians at home and abroad and transforming the centuries-old ritual into one of the country’s most talked-about cultural moments.

Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Osun Sacred Grove remains one of the last surviving sacred forests in Yorubaland and continues to attract pilgrims, researchers and tourists from around the world. The annual Osun-Osogbo Festival has become a global showcase of Yoruba spirituality, history and cultural identity.

As the final prayers were offered and the sacred rites concluded at the grove, the 2026 Osun-Osogbo Festival once again reaffirmed its status as one of the world’s oldest and most enduring celebrations of African heritage. For many attendees, the sight of a 10-year-old princess carrying the sacred calabash represented not only a remarkable personal achievement but also a powerful symbol of the successful transfer of tradition from one generation to the next.