The first and largest digital library of contents highlighting the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove has been launched, according to a press release from Google Arts & Culture in collaboration with The Adunni Olorisha Trust and CyArk.

One of Nigeria’s last remaining holy groves has been preserved digitally with the introduction of Google Arts and Culture’s larger Heritage on the Edge initiative. A 75ha Street View of the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, including the Busanyin Shrine before it was impacted by the water, and 3D representations of four of the dynamic shrines at the site are among the top highlights of this project.

Features to expect from this collaboration

The collection offers access to 900 high-resolution images of the location, as well as modern and antique sculptures, works of art, and spiritual figures.

It also includes three audio interviews, including one with well-known artist Jimoh Buraimoh about Susanne Wenger, 28 stories about the art, community, and spirituality at the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, as well as information about the impact of climate change there.

Visitors can also witness 27 video interviews as part of the project, as well as aerial and 3D views of the location, and annotated 3D tours of the Busanyin and Iya Moopo shrines, which highlight the history of art and spirituality in the sacred grove.

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Reactions To This Project

Everyone who was opportune to see this project commended the good efforts of Google and other stakeholders for their roles in this project. Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Federal Republic of Nigeria, adds

“I am truly delighted that, for the first time, the Osun Osogbo Grove has been brought online, thanks to Google Arts and Culture, which has partnered with CyArk and the Adunni Olorisa Trust/Osun Foundation to digitize the shrine and its surroundings, thus protecting both for posterity.”

On his part, Olufemi A. Akinsanya Akinsanya, Chairman, Save Our Art! Save Our Heritage! said this about the project “The Yoruba community is one of the largest in Nigeria and the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove is truly a unique and special place that embodies the essence of the Yoruba culture and heritage. We are excited about the digital preservation of the site and the partnership with Google Arts & Culture. It offers a noteworthy body of work that portrays the admirable culture of the Yoruba people to the world.”

Similarly, Kacey Hadick, Director of Programs and Development, CyArk, said this about his team’s participation in the project:

“CyArk’s work in Osogbo has been a true collaboration between Nigerian government officials, local NGOs, the community of Osogbo, and His Royal Highness Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, who are all working together to share the stories of Osogbo with a wider audience”.

This project received massive acceptance from all the parties involved,, including the FG. This means that this project would last for a long time if all parties involved corporate to contribute to its success.

Location Of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove

The Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is situated on the Osun River’s forested banks in Osogbo, in the Nigerian state of Osun. It is several centuries old and one of the last sacred groves of its kind that connected the edges of most Yoruba cities before the mass migration from rural to urban areas.

Yoruba deities are represented in attractive, sculpted temples where imagination and spirituality are brought to life. The Grove has recently been in danger of being destroyed because of flooding, intense rain, and climate change.

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More on the partnership

Chance Coughenour, Program Manager and Digital Archaeologist at Google Arts & Culture, commented on the project:

“Google Arts & Culture’s mission is to preserve and promote the world’s art and culture online, allowing anyone, anywhere in the world to share in it. We are grateful that through partnerships, we are now able to preserve one of the most recognized, culturally rich Yoruba heritage sites, known for active traditional worship and contemporary art movements”.

Google’s dedication to protecting Nigeria’s cultural legacy is furthered by the inauguration of the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove project, which offers new audiences locally and internationally the chance to experience its past, present, and future.

The goal of this project is also to promote community maintenance and conservation further, the project aims to assist site managers in digitally documenting historic places that are at risk from climate change.

Google Arts & Culture has made it easier to explore history, culture, experience art, and natural wonders from more than a thousand organizations around the world. It can be accessed on all device app stores.