Ọ̀ṣun Búsanyìn – Urgent Restoration Needed Due to Climate Change

Standing on the river’s edge close to one of the sacred sites along its path, Ọ̀ṣun Búsanyìn used to be of special importance to the Atáọ́ja and his royal family. This is ‘where they carried out their rituals and from where they fetched the water to bathe each new-born child'.

‘The Ọ̀ṣun river has forty sacred sites in the dense forest through which it flows in Oshogbo territory. These 'ibú' are the sites of whirlpools, where the water eats itself into the depth of the riverbed and accumulated the magic powers embedded in the ancient rocks'.

This old and sacred shrine was totally rebuilt by the New Sacred Art Movement in the early 1970s and it has always required consistent maintenance due to flooding during the rainy seasons.

Unfortunately, the flooding has become more severe in recent years and the shrine has fallen into complete disrepair.

The restoration team could not restore the Búsanyìn Shrine without a solution to prevent future flooding.

This shrine is of special significance to the Atáọ́ja, the King of Òṣogbo. A place of deep spirituality, important rituals are performed here especially during the annual Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Festival.

The AOT/F reached out to CyArk – a USA based NGO – for heIp. The AOT/F is now working together with CyArk to build a conservation plan.

In 2021/22 a team from CyArk, supported by the USA Government, captured data of the damaged shrine. They were assisted by five Nigerian architects recruited by the AOT/F and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Flood engineering experts identified a solution, supported by the community of priests and devotees. A complete restoration plan has been created with the help of the USA funding.

The Atáọ́ja, the King of Òṣogbo, shows his support for CyArk’s work and the AOT/F’s effort to find a permanent solution to the flooding and to rebuild the shrine. This photo was taken at the ribbon cutting ceremony in 2021.

We have a solution and the New Sacred Art Movement Restoration Team is ready to start. Now we must raise the funds!