Arubga Osun

As a modern traditional carver, Lamidi Fakeye loved to explore themes that were deeply rooted in his rich Yoruba heritage and culture in his stylish carvings. Arugba Osun is a depiction of a votary female maid of the Osun deity. Arugba simply means the “carrier of a bowl containing ritual offerings”. As one of the devotees of Osun, the river goddess, the importance of her role during sacrifices and ceremonies eg the Osun-Osogbo festival at the grove cannot be overemphasized. At the grand finale of Osun-Osogbo festival, traditional rituals are usually performed at the sacred grove by a crew comprising of Ataoja, the traditional ruler of Osogbo; Iya Osun, the Osun priestess; Aworo Osun, the Osun priest; Arugba Osun; and other Osun devotees. Normally, Arugba leads the crew to the grove carrying the ceremonial calabash containing the sacrificial items for the sacrifice to the goddess. The calabash is very symbolic as, according to the sacred tradition of the people, it is believed that it was handed to the ancestors of Osogbo by the river goddess, Osun who instructed that a royal virgin lady must carry it to the grove on the day of the festival. Arugba is carefully followed and guarded on her way to and from the grove by some young men known as Olose, the whip boys, to ensure she doesn’t miss her footing, trip or hit her feet on any surrounding stone on her path as this will represent a bad omen for the land and the people.

As common in his carvings, Fakeye shows his unique mastery in his capture of the feminine morphological features including the exposed and protruding breasts, the face, the outfit and the ornaments on the neck and wrists. A baby is also strapped to her back, a feature common in Fakeye’s feminine figurines. The lid of the calabash is embellished with human forms comprising of kneeling men and women whose arms are joined in a unique fashion, probably referring to the unity and love among the people.