Greetings!
We are still reliving the vibes from our 10th Anniversary Celebration! There are too many thank yous – not least to you all who joined us in a most uplifting experience for the community. We thank you so much. The celebration of Yeye Osun exceeded our expectations.
Especial thanks go to the fantastic team at Morden Hall Park, who were super supportive throughout – from planning to delivery. For the first time we had volunteers/stewards/helpers without whom we would have struggled to make the day a success as it was. Thank you all.
Sponsors – also for the first time – helped to make the celebration wonderfully special. Thanks to South East Rivers Trust and their microgrant via the Heritage Fund which enabled us a lot. We are so so grateful for the generous donations by Dalgety Tea and Wimbledon Beekeepers Association so we could offer a goodie bag for the first time and fundraise too! Thank you you for your kindness and readiness to support the Annual Osun River Ritual celebration.
Without our contributors, special guest practitioners, our celebration could not have been so elevated. These were complemented by the consistent drum beats that rang throughout the park. Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. Notably, we were blessed with libation by Professor Gus John, supported by Ancestral Voices’ Dalian Adofo. Sisters Shirley and Seyi gave a stunning water dance accompanied by the igba (calabash) as drum. Amosu Awoyemi’s chant for Mama Osun was performed by him for the first time at the event – big thanks to him for the inspired poem that we use for the collective offering. Sivani Mata Francis rendered her performance of the Osun Song too as in previous years.
The exhibition – which was a first for us – was turned around in a very short time but looked ever so professional and inviting. To all who contributed to this special feature, enabling a beautiful co-curated ensemble befitting our honouring of Mama Osun and other Water Spirits. Ken McCalla’s beautiful Mami Water feature to the right of the exhibition was a marvel to behold after absorbing the stunning celebratory altar for Yeye Osun on the left. The exhibition was a celebration of our 10 years sharing love, joy, abundance, healing and communal gathering.
TO THE FUTURE
We recognise that we usually see most of you once a year to mark the Osun Ritual. We’d like to do more, so that we keep the flow and continue nurturing our spiritual community. Please, follow us on our Instagram (@annualosunriverritual) or subscribe to the website to receive notices of our future events.
THE WELLNESS WALKS
We started the Osun Wellness Walks so you can experience an intimate connection with the River throughout the year. The walk lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes, starting from the Sainsbury’s/M&S and landing at the site of the Osun Ritual in Morden Park. They took place in the build up to the 10th anniversary, but we hope to continue them. In the mean time – you can join the next one on 13th September: Register here:
IN SEARCH OF MAMI WATA BOOK PRESENTATION
Join us at Fulham Palace Museum for this special presentation as we continue our celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Annual Osun River Ritual. Register here
