Ọ̀ṣun River

The Ọ̀ṣun River runs through the 75 hectares of the Sacred Ọ̀ṣun Groves in a large, elongated S-shape and eventually empties into the Gulf of Guinea. The beautiful appearance of the river changes on its course through the groves and over the seasons. During the rainy season the water can rise considerably and become a brownish torrent which often causes floods of some riverside shrines. In the dry season - as in theis photograph - it is serene and almost transparent.
Traditionalists believe that the Goddess Ọ̀ṣun resides in the river and that its waters are holy and therapeutic. They believe that Ọ̀ṣun, the deity of fertility and healing helps those who take her water which is refered to in the Yorùbá language as 'Agbo'. Devotees visit the river daily, but there is far greater attendance during the annual Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Festival every August. Fishing is not allowed in the river.