Ataoja's Palace is located in Osogbo, Nigeria. Ataoja's Palace serves as a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and historical significance of the Osogbo community of Yoruba people.
The pink-painted, tin-roofed, single-storey structure doesn't look much, and is in fact the main building housing the temple adjacent to the palace, while the latter is a rather gaudy modern structure in white and blue. The palace cannot be visited without an invitation from the king, but the temple is very interesting, especially during prayer times and if you meet the Iworo priestesses. The walls are all adorned with psychedelic designs in pink, black and white, supported by wooden pillars, and in the center, devotees are in prayer around a wooden statue with multiple ominous heads: the god of epidemics.
During the festival, the temple hosts an altar to receive prayers and offerings in honor of Osun, and if you're lucky you may meet the Arugba, the little girl chosen by the oracle to carry the sacred calabash during the procession, and Iya Osun, supreme priestess of the Osun cult, guide and spiritual mother of the Arugba, and finally Baba Osa, spiritual guardian and ritual advisor.
Photo Gallery: © Jordi Zaragozà Anglès / Nigeria / 2019