According to punch, The ancient city of Osogbo was abuzz with colour, tradition, and heightened security on Friday as the grand finale of the annual Osun-Osogbo cultural festival commenced, drawing dignitaries, worshippers, and tourists from across the world.

Security presence was visibly heavy, with armed soldiers stationed at the entrance of the sacred Osun Grove and police operatives positioned along the key access roads leading to the river.

The atmosphere turned electric as various groups of hunters and traditionalists made their entrance, heralded by intermittent gunshots into the air, as they marched to the riverside to perform sacred rites.

The event, which began on July 28, reaches its spiritual and cultural climax today, August 8, with a sacred procession to the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the heart of the day’s ritual is the symbolic journey of the Arugba, the virgin girl who carries offerings to the Osun River — an age-old rite believed to renew the covenant between the people and the goddess Osun.

Local officials have reported an influx of visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora.



"The festival has been underway and the grand finale is on Friday, August 8,” organisers said in a social media update, confirming today as the high point of the celebration.