{
  "id": 393089,
  "title": "Osun-Osogbo: Priestess defends 10-year-old Arugba, dismisses child abuse claims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/osun-osogbo-priestess-defends-10-year-old-arugba-dismisses-child-393089",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T16:50:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/osun-osogbo-priestess-defends-10-year-old-arugba-dismisses-child-abuse-claims/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "A priestess and the Araba of Osogbo defend the selection of a 10-year-old Arugba for the Osun-Osogbo Festival, dismissing child abuse claims and explaining Read More: https://punchng.com/osun-osogbo-priestess-defends-10-year-old-arugba-dismisses-child-abuse-claims/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Osun-Osogbo: Priestess defends 10-year-old Arugba, dismisses child abuse claims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/osun-osogbo-priestess-defends-10-year-old-arugba-dismisses-child",
        "published": "2026-08-09T16:50:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}