The rainy season is known to herald the months of special festivals in Nigeria.
One such grand festival that attracts the attention of people from all over the world is the Osun-Osogbo Festival, held annually in the vibrant city of Osogbo in Osun State. Adding a spark to this year’s festival celebration is Goldberg Lager Beer, a premium brand of Nigeria’s leading brewing company Nigerian Breweries. Known as a brand synonymous with celebrating Nigerian traditions, Goldberg Lager Beer proudly sponsors the festival, reinforcing its commitment to the preservation of cultural pride.
Apart from being a festival, the Osun-Osogbo celebration is a historical, spiritual, and rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. The festival is usually held for two weeks and this year’s ongoing commemoration started July 29 and will end by August 9, 2024. The festival brings together thousands of people from all walks of life all over the world to honor the river goddess ‘Osun’. It is deeply rooted in Yoruba culture, with traditional rites and ceremonies that have been passed down through generations for over 600 years.
The festival is preceded by an activity known as the ‘Iwopopo’, the traditional purification of the town, and then the lighting of the ancient sixteen-point lamp known as the ‘Ina Olojumerindinlogun’. The ‘Iboriade’ follows, which involves the blessing of the crowns of the previous traditional rulers called the ‘Ataojas’, led by the incumbent traditional ruler, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, the votary maid known as ‘Arugba’, the guardian of the Osun sacred grove called ‘Yeye Osun’, and a committee of priestesses.
As the festival progresses, the air in Osogbo is filled with music, dance, and colorful attires. On the festival finale, a procession is performed starting from the Ataoja’s palace to the main Osun shrine. At this point, the Arugba believed to have spiritual powers dances with objects that are regarded as ‘spiritually endowed’, and when danced upon, bestows fortunes and security on the community.
A high point to watch out for in this year’s festival is the attempt to enter the Guinness World Record as the longest cultural performance, a whopping 10-hour tribute to Yoruba culture. Goldberg as a brand pride itself in its dedication to culture and tradition in Nigeria as part of its distinguishing attributes. This underscores the importance of the brand’s sponsorship of the festival as part of its commitment.
For Goldberg Lager Beer, it is not just a corporate sponsorship, it is a way to reecho their commitment to appreciating and preserving cultural heritage in Nigeria. As a brand that embraces both tradition and modernity Goldberg blazes the trail in fostering a deeper connection to cultural roots in Nigeria across generations, through its sponsorship of prestigious cultural celebrations such as the recent Ojude Oba festival, the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA) traditional night, and now, the Osun-Osogbo Festival. The brand contributes to the continued celebration of the cultural values that remain sacred to the people while fostering a sense of pride and identity among younger generations.
Beyond this, participating in this year’s Osun-Osogbo Festival propels Goldberg’s ongoing Oyato campaign – which celebrates the evolution of culture in Nigeria – to new heights, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to fostering the preservation of cultural heritage in Nigeria and leading the industry as a unique brand made differently for unique people that celebrate the beauty of cultural heritage.
Goldberg Lager Beer encourages people to join in celebrating history and heritage. Join us in Osogbo or follow @Goldberg_ng on social media for live updates and insights into the festival’s activities. Let’s raise a glass of Goldberg to our shared history and a future rich with cultural pride.
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