Ep 6. Osun-Osogbo
- TV-PG
- December 30, 2014
- 54 min
In season 1 episode 6 of Sacred Journeys with Bruce Feiler, titled Osun-Osogbo, viewers are taken on a journey to Nigeria to explore the annual Osun-Osogbo festival. This festival, held in honor of the Yoruba goddess Osun, draws thousands of people each year to the Osun Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the outskirts of Osogbo.
Bruce Feiler begins his journey by meeting with Chief Priestess Susanne Wenger, a Austrian artist who has dedicated her life to preserving the grove and the rituals associated with it. Wenger, who is also known as Adunni Olorisa, gives Feiler an introduction to Osun and the importance of the festival.
Feiler then joins the Oba of Osogbo, the traditional ruler of the area, as he leads a procession to the grove. The festival is a colorful affair, with participants dressed in traditional clothing and carrying offerings for Osun. Along the way, Feiler gets a chance to talk to some of the festival-goers and learn about their personal connections to Osun.
Once they arrive at the grove, Feiler is awed by the beauty of the site and the reverence with which it is treated. The grove is home to hundreds of different species of plants and animals, and is seen as a sacred home to Osun herself. Feiler talks to local experts about the importance of sacred groves in the Yoruba tradition and the efforts being made to protect them.
At the heart of the festival is the Arugba, a young woman selected to carry the ceremonial calabash filled with offerings to Osun. Feiler gets a chance to meet the current Arugba and learn about her experiences preparing for the role. This is an especially meaningful part of the festival, as carrying the calabash is seen as a great honor and responsibility.
Throughout the episode, Feiler also explores the history of the Yoruba people and the ways in which their traditions have been impacted by colonialism and the slave trade. He visits a museum dedicated to the work of the Nigerian artist Twins Seven Seven, who sought to preserve Yoruba art and culture through his work.
Overall, Sacred Journeys with Bruce Feiler season 1 episode 6 offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of the Osun-Osogbo festival and the Yoruba tradition. Feiler's curiosity and respect for the people and traditions he encounters is evident throughout, making this episode a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of religion, culture, and history.