Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi: With the Aja-Osun

Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi is shown in this photograph with a ubiquitous accesory to Osun worship: the bell-like Aja-Osun. Priestess Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi is an Osun priestess, princess, and adopted daughter of Susanne Wenger.
Faniyi descends from one of the royal families of Osogbo and continues to live in Wenger’s house, where she was raised. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illorin and a master’s degree in African Studies from the University of Ibadan. She has four Chieftancy titles including: Yeye Ladekoju Agbasaga of Yorubaland and Yeye Apenimo of Osogbo.
Priestess Faniyi plays a crucial role in the rites and rituals that happen throughout the ten to fourteen-day annual Osun Festival. It’s the same for other traditional ceremonies throughout the year at each of the Shrines in the Grove and the Ataoja’s palace. She has travelled widely representing and advising on traditional Yoruba practices including to places such as: the Quai Branley Museum in Paris, Harvard and Duke Universities in the USA; and the University of Bahia, Brazil. Faniyi travelled with Wenger to Austria and Europe many times for exhibitions of the New Sacred Art Movement; and cared for Wenger until her passing in 2009.
Priestess Faniyi is a member of the Adunni Olorisha Trust, as well as the New Sacred Art Movement in which she excels at traditional textile art.