Despite months of planning, more often than not, variables conspire to decide the actual start date of a project. This was the case for our most recent project in Nigeria which ended up taking place during the rainy season. One benefit of working at a sacred site, is that the priests can put in a good word and miraculously not a drop fell on the equipment.
The sacred grove Osun Osogbo is one of the last sacred Yoruba forests in Nigeria. It was once common practice for sacred forests and shrines to be established next to villages.
The site today contains statues to Yoruba deities spread throughout the forest
Statue of Alajere dancing for Osun
Local artist and conservator Nuredeen Akanji with a photo showing Susanne Wenger, himself as a child and his father Adebisi Akanji
For this project drones, laser scanners and DSLR cameras were used to document three shrines at the site.
Series of statues known as the Marketplace
Arch of the flying tortoise
An artisan standing in front of the house of Susanne Wenger
Sangodare Ajala, the adopted son of Susanne Wenger and spirtual leader of the Sacred Art movement
The Osun shrine is the central shrine of Osun worship and is located adjacent to the holy river.
The Iya Moopo shrine is dedicated to the goddess of women’s occupations.
Supporting wooden pillars of the Ogboni Earth cult shrine
A blessing is performed by the priest of Osun.