Pictorial: 10-Year-Old Princess Alimot Carries Sacred Calabash for First Time at Osun-Osogbo Festival
By Naheem Olaoye
Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi, the 10-year-old Arugba of the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, on Friday carried the sacred calabash for the first time during the festival’s traditional procession to the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
The historic procession marks a major milestone in the young princess’s tenure as the Arugba after she was unable to perform the sacred duty during the 2025 edition due to her age.
Princess Alimot was selected in March 2025 through traditional Ifa divination to serve as the new Arugba, succeeding Osuntomi Ewatomi, whose approximately 12-year tenure ended following her marriage, in line with tradition.
Ahead of Friday’s procession, cultural content creator Wàá Ṣeré disclosed on X that the young princess had successfully completed the required traditional Ifa rites and sacrifices before undertaking her ceremonial role.
“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,” the post read.
The post further stated: “Tomorrow, she carries the sacred calabash of Ọ̀ṣun to the motherly spirit that dwells in fresh waters. Ore Yèyé Ọ̀ṣun o!”
The moment is particularly significant because during her first festival as Arugba in 2025, the sacred calabash was carried by the male chief priest, Baba Osun Adesina, while Princess Alimot led the procession to the grove.
Traditionalists had explained at the time that her young age and the physical demands of carrying the sacred calabash informed the decision.
This year, however, the young princess assumed the full traditional responsibility, leading the sacred procession with the calabash from the Ataoja’s Palace to the Osun Sacred Grove.
The Arugba occupies one of the most revered positions in the Osun-Osogbo Festival and is traditionally chosen from the royal lineage through Ifa divination.
According to Yoruba tradition, the Arugba serves as a symbolic link between the people and Ọ̀ṣun, the Yoruba river goddess. She carries a sacred calabash containing ritual offerings during the annual procession, which devotees believe conveys the prayers, hopes and sacrifices of the community to the deity.
Princess Alimot, a member of the royal family of the Ataoja of Osogbo, drew widespread attention following her emergence as Arugba because of her young age, making her one of the youngest maidens in recent years to occupy the highly revered traditional position.
