TOP TEN PLACES TO VISIT IN NIGERIA (NUMBER FOUR)

[4] THE OSUN GROOVE

The ‘Osun Osogbo’ sacred grove is located along the banks of Osun River in Osogbo Local government Area of Osun state.  It is an

organically enveloped cultural landscape that is associated with the Yoruba people and their traditional religion and culture. Osun groove boast of rainforest vegetation that covers an area of 75 hectares of land with a buffer zone of 47 hectares surrounding it. It is on a raised parcel with about 350 meters above sea level.

The legend of Origin surrounding this spectacle is found in Yoruba cosmology which says that Osun metamorphosed into the River as a result of a misunderstanding with ‘Oba’, a co-wife of Sango. {god of thunder} It is also believed that the goddess inhabited the groove while the river meanders’ within and in to the Groove called Osun Sacred Grove.

Today, Osun sacred grove is the only UNESCO world heritage site in Nigeria due to its prestige, historical, religious, and traditional artifacts that are abound there for the amusement of tourist. At the grove, you will get to see the first palace in Oshogbo, the shrine of the river goddess {Osun}, uncountable number of figurines {each with its unique, name, power and purpose}, and then a troop of monkeys will play with you as you walk pass the neatly tarred road that pass through the forest.