Cliff below the Ọbàtálá Shrine Complex

This photo, taken in 2013, shows the stairs leading from the road to the Obatala Shrine (Deity of Creation) Complex prior to its restoration in 2018.
When the Obatala Shrine Complex was created in the 1960’s the road was only 1.5 meters below the Obatala Shrine. Due to erosion and road work over the intervening 60 years, the cliff leading to the Shrine grew to well over 20 meters above the road. The erosion was both putting the Shrine at the top of the road at risk and also making it very difficult for devotees to access the Shrine. In 2018, the New Sacred Art Movement restoration team reinforced the walls and these stairs
One of the enormous strengths of Sangodare Ajala, artist of the New Sacred Art Movement and leader of the restoration team, is his understanding of engineering. Although not trained professionally, Sangodare completely understood engineering solutions to prevent further erosion and how to divert water, which is the main cause of deterioration, away from the cement Shrines, sculptures and decorative walls throughout the Groves. Restoring the work of art in the Osun Grove requires a huge amount of labour and technical abilities as well as a deep knowledge of the aesthetics New Sacred Art.