Traditional custodians of the Osun-Osogbo Festival have pushed back against criticism over the selection of 10-year-old Princess Alimot Osunbunmi as Arugba. They insist that the revered position should not be regarded as child abuse.
According to The Punch, the Araba of Osogbo, Ifayemi Elebuibon, and a female Osun priestess spoke separately. This happened amid growing debate over the young girl’s age and the responsibilities attached to her position.
Alimot, who comes from the royal family of the Ataoja of Osogbo, was selected through Ifa divination in March 2025. She carried the sacred calabash during the festival procession for the first time this year. Previously, her age prevented her from carrying it in 2025.
‘Some started at five’ — Elebuibon
Elebuibon dismissed arguments that Alimot was too young for the position. He explained that age alone does not determine who can serve as Arugba.
“Whoever says the Arugba is too young—this one is ten years old, but some started at five!” he said.
He explained that the position is rooted in what traditional worshippers consider spiritual maturity rather than physical age.
“The role the Arugba plays is a role of spiritual maturity, not about physical age,” Elebuibon said.
According to him, the Arugba functions as an intermediary between the Osun deity and the community. She may also communicate messages believed to have come from the deity.
Elebuibon maintained that the young maiden is expected to remain spiritually and traditionally pure while serving in the position.
He also argued that the girl would grow into the spiritual demands of the role. He said her responsibilities could not simply be judged by her biological age.
Priestess rejects child abuse description
A female priestess and cultural custodian also defended the tradition. She said the royal family does not simply choose whichever child it prefers.
“Whomever Ifa chooses becomes the Arugba,” she said, explaining that the selected maiden is expected to observe strict traditional requirements.
She also directly rejected the criticism surrounding the girl’s age.
“Being selected as the Arugba carries taboos and honours; it is not what Westerners label as ‘child abuse’,” the priestess said.
According to her, girls selected for the position are cared for and protected rather than subjected to unnecessary physical hardship.
She said the Arugba is not expected to carry heavy objects as part of her daily responsibilities. However, the sacred calabash used during the annual festival procession is a major exception.
Why worshippers bow before Arugba
The priestess also addressed questions surrounding images and videos showing worshippers bowing before the 10-year-old during the festival.
She insisted that devotees were not worshipping Alimot as an individual.
“They were bowing to the divine spirit of Osun Ewuji inside her and upon her head,” she explained.
The Arugba is regarded within the tradition as a symbolic link between worshippers and the Osun deity. This makes her one of the most recognisable figures during the annual procession to the Osun Sacred Grove.
Alimot succeeded the previous Arugba and was chosen while still nine years old. Her young age has since attracted wider public attention, particularly after she carried the sacred calabash during the 2026 procession.
The debate has placed the centuries-old tradition under renewed scrutiny. Still, its custodians insist the role remains an honour within the Osun-Osogbo religious system. They say it should be understood within its cultural and spiritual context.
