Osun-Osogbo: Priestess defends 10-year-old Arugba, dismisses child abuse claims

The priestess of Osun-Osogbo, Ifayemi Elebuibon, has defended the tradition of selecting a young maiden as the Arugba for the Osun-Osogbo Festival, arguing that it is a privilege rather than child abuse. This comes after a 10-year-old, Princess Alimot Osunbunmi, was selected through traditional Ifa divination to carry the sacred calabash during the festival procession.

Elebuibon clarified that the Arugba's responsibilities are based on spiritual maturity, not physical age, and can communicate the deity's wishes to the community. Another priestess, also speaking on video, emphasized the Arugba must be a virgin and protected, rejecting the term "child abuse" as a Western perspective. The 2026 festival, held annually at the Osun Sacred Grove, began on August 7 and will run until August 19.