High Priestess

High Priestess: In many ancient cultures the mother is revered as an embodiment of the highest forces of nature and the feminine archetype. She is always associated with mystery, the unconscious and represents the path from the invisible to the visible.

In the west African culture known as Isese, or Ifa Orisa veneration, she is called by the Yoruba words for mother. Those two words are iya or yeye.

Each town or village in Yorubaland may have a High Priestess of Oshun or Osun formally know as the Iya Osun.

New High Priestess of Osun in Osogbo, Nigeria

Osunyemi outside the Osun Shrine on the Palace grounds, Osogbo, Nigeria

Named the City of Peace, because no foreign army has ever ruled the town, Osogbo and the Osun River shrines represent one of the few remaining Yoruba grove shrines in existence.



Osun is a leader of the wise women (aje). As a representative of the wise, competent woman she is also a bringer of children. Other symbols of her powers are abundance, health.



The High Priestess of Osun tends to the daily needs of the deity and the traditional venerations.


The High Priestess of Osun is an office that is chosen by the community of orisa worshipers. Recently in Osogbo a new Iya was chosen who the community thought would better serve the needs of the Deity and the community.