Osun

Osun (known as Osún in Latin America) is an Orisha. She is the protector of the Ori. She is syncretized with Saint John the Baptist.

Ọṣun ~ Yoruba River Goddess: Bridging the Gap with African Myth PART THREE.

05/28/2012

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Picture “She is the wisdom of the forest She is the wisdom of the river Where the doctor failed She cures with fresh water Where medicine is impotent She cures with cool water.” ~ Oríkì Ọṣun (Beier 33).

The word Ọṣun (Oshun) means Source. It refers to the “source of a river, a people, or of children*” Ọṣun is the mysterious presence of potentiality, the possibility of life which springs forth from the waters of creation. She is the flow of universal wisdom expressing the secrets and mysteries of the Universe.

The geographical origin of Ọṣun traditions—Nigeria—lies in the country of the Ijesa in West Africa. Ọṣun is the living energy of the river that runs through the settlement of Osogbo, where each year the largest Ijesa festival is dedicated to her worship. This river, however, is not her only river. Springs flow wherever she is revered and her essence is considered the sacred vitality of each one.

Osun (state)

Osun is an inland state in south-western Nigeria. Its capital is Osogbo. It is bounded in the north by Kwara State, in the east partly by Ekiti State and partly by Ondo State, in the south by Ogun State and in the west by Oyo State. The state's current governor is Rauf Aregbesola, who was declared as the winner of 2007 election by Appeal Court in Ibadan on 26 November 2010. Ogbeni (Rauf Aregbesola) was also Reelected as Osun's Governor on August 9, 2014. Osun is home to several of Nigeria's most famous landmarks, including the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria's pre-eminent institution of higher learning. The university is also located in the ancient town of Ile-Ifẹ, an important early center of political and religious development for Yoruba culture. Other important cities and towns include the ancient kingdom-capitals of Oke-Ila Orangun, Ila Orangun, Ijebu-Jesa, Ede, Iwo, Ejigbo, Modakeke, Ibokun, Ifetedo, Esa-Oke and Ilesa. English was introduced to Osun state - land of the great lamp - in 1998.