London Rivers Week: Honouring Yeye Osun at the Thames

Honouring Mama Osun & Caring for Our Rivers

The River Thames, into which the River Wandle flows — where we usually celebrate Mama Osun — is under constant threat from pollution. Every day, wet wipes, plastic bottles, and other harmful waste are discarded into these sacred waters. Such acts violate not only the environment, but also the sanctity of water and the spirit of Mama Osun, as the embodiment of the river.

Across indigenous cultures, sacred rituals and symbols remind us to live in harmony with nature. It is our shared responsibility to protect and preserve our rivers for future generations.

A Celebration of Life, Love & Community

We gather at St Mary’s Church for a communal offering to Mama Osun, celebrating our connection to water, nature, and each other. This uplifting and therapeutic experience is open to everyone — families, friends, and children of all ages are warmly welcome.

After the offering, please join us for refreshments at the church, where Michelle Asantewa will give a talk exploring the significance of Mama Osun and her sacred traditions.

Offerings (Ebos)

You are welcome to bring items to contribute to the collective offering, including:

• Light-coloured fruits: melons, mangoes, tangerines, bananas, golden apples
• Honey, unwrapped sweets, brown sugar or molasses, sweet biscuits
• Sweet drinks and sensual fragrances or incense
• Coconuts, nuts, pumpkins, pumpkin seeds
• Flowers — especially yellow and white
• Shells
• Plantain, sweet potato, cornmeal, sweetcorn

This list is not exhaustive — please bring whatever you feel moved to offer. You may also wish to make a personal offering to the river.

Musical instruments are especially encouraged — particularly bells — to help call upon the river goddess during the ceremony.

What to Wear

We wear white, yellow, or both in honour of Mama Osun — even during the clean-up. She represents beauty, abundance, and sacred waters, which is why we work together to keep the river pristine.

Please wear:

• Sturdy footwear
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Bring enough drinking water

Meeting Point

We meet at the slipway immediately beside St Mary’s Church. Look out for the Thames21 vehicle.

Address:
The Moorings, Battersea Church Rd, London SW11 3NA

Bus routes: 170, 19, 49, 639, and 670

Event Details

Date: Sunday 31 May
Time: Assemble at 1:30pm

Please arrive promptly at 1:30pm to collect equipment and hear the health and safety briefing.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about Mama Osun, many resources are available online.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

We look forward to sharing this beautiful and meaningful experience with you.

If you have any queries, please get in touch with Matt Dawson at matt.dawson@thames21.org.uk.

Please view more info here: https://youtu.be/9ofmMGrJ-F0?si=pcTV8tp0rtcQRFao