Temisan Olaifa, Osogbo
Hundreds of foreign tourists were present at the Osun-Osogbo grove on Friday for the grand finale celebration of the festival.
The tourists from the United Kingdom, Romania, Croatia, and other countries claimed that they were attracted to the annual event because of its cultural values.
A tourist from the United Kingdom, Mrs Polyna Lupine, said that the significance of the festival was enormous due to its cultural values.
Lupine said her visit to the grove was to learn more about the uniqueness of the Yoruba culture.
“I have been reading a lot about the Osun-Osogbo festival, and it is such an opportunity for me to know what it is today.
“The people of Nigeria are wonderful, and their culture is rich with beautiful traditions and culture.
“My coming here is an opportunity for me to meet with different people, participate in the festival, and see the Osun River myself,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs. Maltina Segei, a tourist from Croatia, said she was happy to be part of the grand finale of the festival.
Segei said that she had read books and literature about the grove but was happy to see the river and its worshippers.
Another tourist from Romania, John Baron, said that it was good to see Nigerian culture and to understand its traditions.
“The people and devotees of the Osun river are friendly, and I see a special atmosphere with a deeper Nigerian culture,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Osun government said it would continue to promote and support the Osun-Osogbo festival.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Abiodun Ojo, said this at the grand finale of the Osun-Osogbo festival.
Ojo said the state government ensured that facilities within the grove were rehabilitated and reconstructed before the grand finale of the festival.
He said Gov. Ademola Adeleke also directed the renovation of the grove pavilion, roads leading to the grove, and other infrastructure within the grove for easy access by visitors.
“We will not relent in supporting the annual event, which is globally recognised by UNESCO, and we are proud to be the host.
‘‘The Osun goddess has been able to protect us over the years, and a pact between her devotees and the goddess is what we are celebrating.
The goddess has been able to make the state a wonderland and a place to behold,” he said.
Food vendors and plastic keg sellers took advantage of the festival to make brisk business.
The traders gathered at Isale-Osun and the entrance to the Osun-Osogbo grove, where they displayed their goods for sale to tourists attending the festival.
The Osun-Osogbo festival, whose history dates back many centuries, is usually celebrated in a grove on the outskirts of Osogbo between July and August.
It is among the last of the sacred forests that adjoined the edges of most Yoruba cities before extensive urbanisation.
In recognition of its global significance and cultural value, the Sacred Grove was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
