Art and Traditional Culture

Only 4 hours from Lagos, Osogbo offers a unique opportunity to experience 2 schools of extraordinary art and traditional culture. The Annual Osun Festival which takes place in August each year is the largest traditional festival in Yorubaland and attracts tens of thousands of visitors. A day return trip from Lagos is possible but it is much better to plan to stay at least one overnight or more.

The Groves and New Sacred Art Movement Tour

The corner stone of any visit must include the Sacred Groves and the Susanne Wenger House & Art Shop.  The visit can be expanded to include visits with the renowned artists of the New Sacred Art Movement, sacred sites outside of the UNESCO boundaries and, if timed correctly, the annual Osun Festival which draws thousands of visitors.  Priestess Adedoyin Faniyi, Susanne’s adopted daughter with a MA in African Studies, leads customized tours and programs in Yoruba traditions.

The Osogbo School of Contemporary Art

The Osogbo School of Contemporary Art was founded by Susanne’s first husband, Ulli Beier.  This Movement flourished from the mid 1960’s and includes art luminaries Muraina Oyelami, Jimoh Buraimoh, and Bisi Fabunmi.  The famed artist Nike Okundaye, though younger, also grew out of this Movement.  Visitors can visit the artists’ galleries, tour Nike’s textile workshops and take courses in textile making, dance and music. Nike Ogundaye’s Guest House is a special oasis located about 30 minutes from the Groves in a garden setting.