10-YEAR-OLD PRINCESS CARRIES SACRED CALABASH AT OSUN-OSOGBO FESTIVAL FOR THE FIRST TIME

The 10-year-old Arugba of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi, has carried the sacred calabash for the first time during the annual procession to the Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo, Osun State.

The procession marks a major milestone in her tenure as Arugba after she was unable to perform the sacred duty during the 2025 festival due to her young age.

Princess Alimot was selected as the new Arugba through traditional Ifa divination in March 2025, succeeding Osuntomi Ewatomi, who served in the revered role for about 12 years before ending her tenure following her marriage.

Ahead of the procession, cultural content creator Wàá Ṣeré announced that the young princess had successfully completed all the traditional Ifa rites and sacrifices required before assuming the sacred responsibility.

Last year, the sacred calabash was carried by the male chief priest, Baba Osun Adesina, while Princess Alimot only led the procession because traditionalists considered her too young for the physically demanding role.

This year, however, she personally carried the sacred calabash from the palace to the Osun Sacred Grove, fulfilling one of the most important responsibilities of the Arugba.

According to Yoruba tradition, the Arugba serves as the symbolic link between the people and Ọ̀ṣun, the Yoruba river goddess, carrying a sacred calabash containing ritual offerings believed to convey the community's prayers, hopes and sacrifices.

Princess Alimot, a member of the royal family of the Ataoja of Osogbo, is regarded as one of the youngest girls to occupy the prestigious position in recent years.

The Osun-Osogbo Festival, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural event, runs from August 7 to 19, 2026, attracting traditional worshippers, tourists, researchers and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and around the world.