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Yorùbá spirituality inspires surreal sculptures in this sacred grove

On the outskirts of Òṣogbo in Nigeria, large, otherworldly artworks peek through thick greenery. This sacred site, Ọṣun-Òṣogbo, features sculptures and shrines dedicated to the deities of Yorùbá spirituality. After falling into disuse in the 1950s, it’s now a place of pilgrimage for many believers and a popular destination for tourists from around the globe. In this video, the Ethiopian American filmmaker Sosena Solomon is given a tour of Ọṣun-Òṣogbo by local artists and experts, who explain both the craft and the inspiration behind the extraordinary works, which are inseparable from the grove itself and Yorùbá spirituality. The film is part of the series Africa’s Cultural Landmarks, produced by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund.

Video by the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Director: Sosena Solomon

Producer: Ann C Collins

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