Sacred Osun Grove

Historical place;Tourist attraction

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Information

Monday
8am–6pm
Tuesday
8am–6pm
Wednesday
8am–6pm
Thursday
8am–6pm
Friday
8am–6pm
Saturday
8am–6pm
Sunday
Open 24 hours
+234 806 231 6080
Osogbo, Nigeria
4.6

Location

Comments 43

  • D
    David Omololu Aiyeola
    Nature part extra ordinary
  • M
    Malik Gbenle
    Great experience, natural breeding place for beautiful species of monkey
  • E
    Egbede Samuel
    This place is one of tourist you enjoyed in osogbo
  • A
    Ayobami Oke
    The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (also known only as of the Osun Sacred Grove) is a dense forest covering an area of 75 hectares on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo in Osun State along the Osun River. It is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in south-western Nigeria, which extended to the edges of most Yoruba cities before extensive urbanization eroded its reach. The Grove is believed to be the home of Osun (the Yoruba goddess of fertility) is dotted with sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures and artworks in her honor. The Sacred Grove, seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, is the last in Yoruba culture – a testimonial to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside settlements. The Grove contains forty shrines and several sculptures and artworks erected in honor of Osun and other Yoruba deities. It has five main sacred divisions associated with different gods and cults. There are nine worship points – with designated priests and priestesses – along the length of the Osun River. Its waters signify the relationship among nature, the spirits, and human beings, and reflect water’s significance in Yoruba cosmology as a symbol of life: the river is believed to have healing, protective and fertility powers. The Grove is also home to over 400 species of plants, of which more than 200 are known for their medicinal uses. Along the two roads leading to the Grove are sacred stones and sculptures which represent the various deities inside the Grove. The sculptures are made from a variety of materials, including rock, wood, iron, mud, and concrete. There are also wall paintings and decorative roofs made from palm fronds. The forest canopy supports abundant and diverse flora and fauna, including the endangered white-throated monkey. Some parts of the forest were cleared during the colonial period to make way for agricultural activities, but these are now being re-established. There are two palaces in the Grove: the first is located in the Osun courtyard (along with the Osun shrine and temple) where Oba Larooye and his people first settled. The temple contains a sacred stone stool which was the symbol of authority of the Oba first used 500 years ago. The second palace – 600 meters away from the first – was said to have been built by Larooye to avoid the constant flooding which plagued the first palace. Both buildings are constructed of mud walls with tin roofs supported by pillars made of mud and carved wood. There are also three Ogboni buildings with ceilings soaring high over their entrances and supported on a cluster of slender carved wooden posts. Osun-Osogbo Grove is a symbol of African heritage and preserves the values of the Osogbo and entire Yoruba people. It is is a thriving representation of culture and a means of sharing traditional religion and indigenous knowledge systems with the people of the African Diaspora.
  • A
    Alex Nwuba
    Excellent cultural presentation
  • M
    McAfeez TeeV
    A Unesco approved tourism center and festival location. It worthy to visit.
  • D
    Dauntless O.
    A well conserved forest and shrine, that is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a beautiful place for lovers of culture.
  • I
    ibrahim olawale
    Ranked amongst the list of top tourist attractions in Nigeria, the Osun Sacred Grove is a forest classified as one of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) world heritage rites. This sacred forest is located on the outskirts of Oshogbo, Osun state, along the banks of the Osun River. Yoruba people believe that Osun Sacred grove, is home to Osun, the goddess of fertility. A festival that celebrates this fertility goddess takes place every year in Oshogbo. In addition to that, the forest reportedly contains about 400 different species of plants that are used for medicinal purposes.
  • M
    Musa Abolade
    One of the UNESCO world heritage site located in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. It is a sacred location containing scary scenes. In addition, it is an interesting place to visit because of the huge number of monkeys there. A great tourist site with wide areas of view.
  • B
    Bosun Adeuja
    Great Artworks . Lovely Ambiance.
  • T
    trendsnaija .online
    Very awesome place
  • A
    Adewale Godwin
    This Osun Osogbo is a lovely place where most of the Tradition, Custom, History and so many other things of the most ancient experience are being preserved. If you want to know more about the historical values and culture of the OSUN heritage you need to visit this GROOVE so that not only you will see, but you will find the real story about most of the Traditional Spiritual things that you wont find easy to belief which is the ultimate TRUTH to them at the Sacred Groove surroundings. Most amazing thing about this Groove is that there is a special historical consultants who are always available in the Groove which we take you round and tell you more things about the intresting sacred groove. To crown it all is a good place to visit for someone who has intrest in history and Culture.
  • G
    Green Crop Farms
    Serene environment
  • E
    EducationTv 4Africa
    UNESCO world heritage sight the second in Nigeria and a landmark of traditional religious beliefs
  • E
    Elujoba Adetounmi
    Osun Grove is one of the fascinating Tourist centres in Africa, it had attracted many people from different parts of the world. The environment is very cool, wonderful and aesthetic. The government of state of Osun could do better by funding the Grove by making it more attracting to international Tourists. I enjoyed myself, I saw nature in reality, it was fantastic. I doubt if the memory of the Grove can ever be swept away, I will encourage anyone to visit to Grove.
  • A
    Ahmed Yusuf
    You can’t mention the names of tourist attractions in Nigeria without mentioning the New Afrika Shrine. Are you thinking of taking your nightlife escapades to the next level? Then think Fela Shrine a.k.a The New Afrika Shrine. From the genre of music to the inspirational story-telling lyrics. Not forgetting the sacrosanct palm-wine, get ready to get a political education, a lesson in ‘shakin-it’ and a contact high! The New Afrika Shrine, an open-air entertainment center located in Ikeja, Lagos State. It serves as the host location of the annual Felabration music festival. Currently managed by Femi Kuti and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti. Serves as a  replacement of the old Afrika Shrine created in 1970 by Fela Kuti until it was burnt down in 1977. The New Afrika Shrine showcases photo galleries of Fela and musical performances by Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti. For a wholesome tourism in Nigeria, visit the Fela Shrine.
  • E
    Eromonsele Emmanuel
    Osun-Osogbo Grove is an open-air museum that contains statues, memorials, historic buildings, archaeological sites and cultural assets. It was fun exploring the hotbed of yoruba culture. As a rainforest, it’s impressive it has remained independent, slipping the clutches of urbanization.
  • T
    Terrigbade Taiwo
    Osun Osogbo, scared area
  • A
    Agbo Adediran Bemiwo
    Centre for tradition, art and culture. Shrine for Osun worshippers
  • O
    OLUWAFEMI OGUNDIPE
    A great place for spiritual and vacations.
  • C
    Christian Ejealor
    Fairly okay
  • A
    Akomolafe olusola ayopelumi
    Historical and enlightening
  • J
    Jegede Emmanuel
    Nice place
  • Y
    Yinka Olajubu
    Great place to be
  • S
    seyi adeniyi
    A great tourist attraction at Isale osun
  • O
    Olusola Adeogun
    The history of a people is invested in this place. If you don’t stay in this state and you’re just passing through, please do pay a visit. If you like in Osun and you’ve never been here, what are you doing?
  • S
    Samuel A. Owolabi
    A rich place full of culture and historical surprises.
  • Y
    Youthvibes Media
    Tourism at its peak
  • B
    Bridget Mangulama
    A good short tour. But I expected more.
  • A
    Ajao Gbadebo
    Osun shrine is one of the oldest, and interesting place with ancient figures, status and houses.Historical background of the place is very interesting.People all over the world do come to the place for different things.I am personally love to go to osun groove for meditation, refreshments, research,power and many more
  • T
    Tayo Ajide
    Really Interesting place , good start to learn about the early culture of the Osun goddess of old and how they worshiped her.
  • O
    Omoboyede Abiola
    One of the 3 UNESCO Heritage sites in Nigeria, A wonderful place to be
  • R
    Ridwan Gafar
    It is a sacred place of the river god osun
  • E
    Egyptian princess
    Luv our history Mother oshun
  • O
    Olasupo Babatunde
    Nature and beautiful, a place to be for those who love animal and nature, quite environment
  • H
    HSM Oba S.O Falade
    Back to your roots let us enjoy our indigenous knowledge together
  • A
    Adebiyi Rabb
    Wonderful work of art in tandem with nature. R.I.P. Susan Wenger a.k.a Adunni Olorisa.
  • J
    Jacob Hajduk
    so many monkeys
  • A
    Austin Mgbemere
    Phenomenal
  • O
    Opadokun Jamiu
    Osun
  • R
    Rasta Production
    Strange
  • Q
    QUEEN of the unique places
    【世界遺産オシュン=オショグボの聖なる木立】 400〜500年ほど前からナイジェリアの三大民族の1つであるヨルバ人が、神話で川に姿を変えたという女神オシュンを崇め、オシュン川沿いの原生林の中に神殿や社などを造り祀った。女神像は半身が人魚のような姿をしている。 植民地化や新たな宗教の流入により、オシュン信仰の伝統的な文化継承がうまくいかず、寂れ廃れてきた聖地を再生させようと、1949年からスーザン氏というオーストリア人女性がこちらに移り住み、それぞれに意味のある巨大な彫像や偶像を作り、新たな聖地として芸術性を含ませた再生にその人生を全て捧げた。スーザン氏は11年前に93歳で他界。 数ある偶像にはそれぞれ意味があり、不妊症の人が拝む神、長寿の神、人生を例えた像、など興味深いものが多数。ローカルガイドに一つ一つ説明を受け、かなり勉強になった。 オシュン川は体内浄化の効果があると言われ、その水を汲んで帰る人もいる。 年に一度、スーザン氏の影響で行われるようになった祭典「人間と女神をつなぐお祭り」が毎年7月と8月に12日間行われる。
  • W
    Washington Trapani
    Oxum. Diosa del oro gracias

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