In Yorùbá culture, it’s said that more than 600 years ago, a hunter discovered a lush grove in southwestern Nigeria carved by a rushing river. His community had experienced drought and eagerly moved to the region, which they quickly learned was under the rule of the goddess of rivers and fertility, Ọ̀ṣun. In exchange for protection and prosperity, the people promised to celebrate the deity, and this pact grounds what’s now known as the Ọṣun-Òṣogbo Sacred Grove.
A UNESCO World Heritage site spanning 190 acres, the spiritual sanctuary has long been revered by the Yorùbá people, and in the mid-20th century, a group of artists revitalized the landscape by erecting large-scale sculptures in honor of its namesake. Dubbed the New Sacred Art Movement, the efforts are the subject of a short documentary released by The Met that visits the grove and highlights some of the artists who’ve carved totems, shaped enormous creatures from clay and mud, and established a vibrant art environment to be passed down through generations.
Directed by Sosena Solomon, the film is part of The Met’s series devoted to Africa’s cultural landmarks, made in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund. It highlights some of the makers creating and repairing works, including Kasali Akangbe Ogun, who helped lead the New Sacred Art Movement alongside Austrian-Nigerian artist Susanne Wenger and Chief Adebisi Akanji in the 1960s. Today, he continues to carve totemic shrines and share his craft with his children.
While many similar sites fell into disrepair, the artists who worked in the grove helped to safeguard its sacredness as they built an expansive art environment visualizing various deities. An annual festival and pilgrimages attract visitors each year, and as generations pass, artists and caretakers are working to both preserve what’s been built and also pass down knowledge to ensure the space’s survival. “What makes Ọṣun-Òṣogbo such a special place is,” says Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, “this is a living story.”
Ọṣun-Òṣogbo Sacred Grove is one of 13 cultural sites The Met visited across the continent, and you can find more on YouTube. You might also enjoy this book surveying more than 400 spiritual environments around the world.
