As this year’s Osun-Osogbo Festival approaches, 10-year-old Princess Alimot Moredeke Ajoke Osunbunmi has emerged as one of the event’s most talked-about figures after assuming the revered role of Arugba.

The young princess was chosen in March 2025 through the traditional Ifa consultation process, replacing Osuntomi Ewatomi, whose tenure ended after she got married.

Here are some important facts about the 10-year-old arugba and her role in the annual cultural festival.

Princess Alimot is a member of the Ataoja of Osogbo’s royal household. Her emergence as Arugba followed the traditional process through which the Ifa oracle identifies a maiden to serve the Osun deity.

She stepped into the role after her predecessor concluded her service in line with tradition.

The selection of an Arugba is regarded as a sacred process guided by the Ifa oracle rather than public nomination or appointment.

Only eligible girls from the royal family are considered, with devotees accepting the outcome as the will of the Osun deity.

According to tradition, the Arugba must be a virgin from a royal lineage.

The position is considered sacred, and the purity of the chosen maiden is regarded as central to the spiritual significance of the Osun-Osogbo Festival.

At just 10 years old, Princess Alimot is among the youngest girls to serve as Arugba in recent times.

Because of her age, some aspects of the role have been adjusted.

During the 2025 festival, Princess Alimot led the procession but did not carry the sacred calabash, a duty traditionally performed by the Arugba.

Instead, Baba Osun (Adesina), the male chief priest, carried the calabash while she walked at the front of the procession.

Traditionalists explained that the arrangement was made because of her young age and expressed confidence that she would assume the responsibility in future editions of the festival.

Although she did not carry the calabash, Princess Alimot led worshippers during the procession to the Osun Sacred Grove.

The Arugba serves as the symbolic link between the Osun deity and devotees, making the role one of the most significant during the annual festival.

Within Yoruba tradition, the Arugba is believed to present the prayers, sacrifices and hopes of worshippers to the Osun River goddess.

The sacred calabash traditionally carried during the procession contains ritual offerings presented at the grove.

The Osun-Osogbo Festival is one of Nigeria’s oldest traditional festivals and is centred around the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Held annually in Osogbo, Osun State, the festival attracts thousands of traditional worshippers, tourists and cultural enthusiasts from Nigeria and abroad.

The 2026 edition is scheduled to take place from August 7 to August 19, featuring traditional rites, cultural performances, drumming, dancing and the famous Arugba procession.

The Osun-Osogbo Festival traces its origins to the founders of Osogbo more than 600 years ago.

According to Yoruba tradition, the Osun River goddess protected the town’s early settlers and established a covenant with them. Since then, the people have continued to honour that covenant through the annual festival.

Other major activities during the celebration include the cleansing of the town, the veneration of the Ataoja’s crown, traditional sacrifices and the concluding Osun Ajigun ceremony.