Ten-year-old Arugba of the Osun-Osogbo Festival, Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi, carried the sacred calabash for the first time on Friday during the annual procession to the Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo, Osun State.
The moment marked a major milestone in her time as Arugba after she did not carry the sacred calabash during the 2025 festival because of her young age.
Alimot was chosen through traditional Ifa divination in March 2025 to succeed Osuntomi Ewatomi, who served as Arugba for about 12 years before her marriage ended her tenure.
Before Friday’s procession, cultural content creator Wàá Ṣeré announced on X that Alimot had completed the required Ifa rites.
“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,” Wàá Ṣeré wrote.
The post added, “Tomorrow, she carries the sacred calabash of Ọ̀ṣun to the motherly spirit that dwells in fresh waters. Ore Yèyé Ọ̀ṣun o!”
During last year’s festival, Baba Osun, Adesina, carried the sacred calabash while Alimot led the procession because traditionalists said her age and the physical demands of the role required the arrangement.
This year, she carried the calabash herself from the palace to the Osun Sacred Grove. The Arugba, chosen from the royal lineage through Ifa divination, is seen as the link between the people and Ọ̀ṣun, carrying the community’s prayers, hopes and sacrifices. Alimot, a member of the Ataoja of Osogbo’s royal family, is among the youngest to hold the role in recent years.
