PHOTONEWS: Worshippers throng sacred grove for Osun Osogbo festival, disregard COVID-19 protocols

Despite the morning downpour, adherents and worshippers of the Osun deity trooped out en-masse to the Osun Grove, the venue of the grand finale of the 2021 Osun Osogbo traditional festival in Osogbo.

At the venue packed full of worshippers and guests, the enthusiasm with which people went about the festival was high.

Worshippers interviewed revealed that after one year, it was time to give back to the Osun goddess the good with which she has blessed them.

Ifaponle Osuntomi told newsmen that despite the setbacks in the country, Osun had been kind enough to keep the country one just as it did years back when it gave the Yoruba victory during the war of 1840.

She explained that Osun is a deity of peace who watches out for the good of her worshippers and the community.

Another adherent, Adekunle Osungbemi said many in the crowd who trooped out for the festival did so only to offer thanks for the many good deeds of the sun deity.

He said that many had come on previous festivals with their petitions and now come back to show appreciation for answered to those petitions.

He said many asked for children, for success in business and academics, for employment and others and coming back was a way of showing gratitude and giving thanks.

At the sacred grove, it was observed that the crowds of worshippers and spectators did not adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines as most did not comply with the social distancing and wearing of face masks rules.

However, officials of the State Ministry of Health were on hand at the entrance to the grove to measure temperature measurements of the people as they went into the sacred grove.

It was also observed that during the entrance of the ‘Arugba’ calabash baring maiden, the Ataoja of Osogbo land and other dignitaries, the surge of crowd prevented the Health Ministry staff from conducting the temperature measurements.

Recall that the Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu had assured that all the COVID-19 guidelines as directed by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) would be strictly enforced during the festival.