This year’s edition of the annual Osun Osogbo festival will begin next week with the traditional cleansing of the ancient town that will be followed by the lightening of the 636 years old 16 point lamps.

Many had thought that the death of the late Oba of Osogbo, Iyiola Oyewale, Matanmi 111 will stop the celebration of the annual festival which is expected to climax  on August 27 with the grand finale that is expected to attract tourists from all over the world.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos during the unveiling and corporate forum of this year’s edition recently, the Executive Secretary, Osun Osogbo festival, Aare Ifagbenusola Atanda disclosed that the celebration of the Festival by the people of Osogboland is in fulfillment of the pact of benevolent association with the River Osun Deity, which has made Osogboland remained a peaceful,  progressive and  benevolent city without any ravage of war or pestilence.

He added that the 641th edition of the Osun festival which was first held in 1370 AD is a rekindling of the people’s pact with river Osun deity in the month of August of every year and “since it has always been a festival of thanksgiving, it will hold even with the passage of our oba.”

Aare Ifagbenusola said that this year’s festival will be used as a rite of passage for the late oba who reigned for 34years, “ so the program of the annual festival remains and the only addition is the rite of passage for late Oba Iyiola Oyewale.”

“The 2010 Osun Osogbo festival will start  with the traditional cleansing of the town called Iwopopo followed by the Lightening of the 636 years old 16 points lamp, three days later, called Oloju merindiniogun.

This is followed by Iboriade  some four days later, which is the assemblage of all the crowns of past rulers, Ataoja’s,  for blessings.

Aare Ifagbenusola Atanda explained that the grand finale  showcases the cultural procession of the people to the Osun grove, “these traditional activities coupled with other associated ones are being used to springboard Cultural Tourism Development in Osun State and generally in Nigeria.”

While noting that the festival has maintained its originality, he added that “the festival is the only Nigeria’s eco tourism Destination that can be and is being showcased as a good product for “Good People in a great Nation”.