Pilgrimage Circuit of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

One religious tourism destination site of note in Southwestern Nigeria is the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine, located along the banks of the Osun River in the city of Oshogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The sacred grove and shrine was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. This paper examines the routes and trails people take to get to Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine with a view to evaluating access to the destination site as well as the factors impacting on the sacred grove. The study uses ethnographic methods to elicit information from respondents and data collected were analysed descriptively. The paper argues that Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine can improve the living standard of the host community and create job opportunities if its access routes, facilities and trails are improved upon by government.