Interesting Story of Adunni Olorisa The White Osun Priestess
Africa
is very blessed with a beautiful tradition and culture. It is no wonder that
several foreigners come to the country to be a part of such lovely displays.
Nigerians are awed by the story of Austrian born woman, Susan Wenger, now
popularly known as Adunni Olorisa, who came to the country and made it her
home.
is very blessed with a beautiful tradition and culture. It is no wonder that
several foreigners come to the country to be a part of such lovely displays.
Nigerians are awed by the story of Austrian born woman, Susan Wenger, now
popularly known as Adunni Olorisa, who came to the country and made it her
home.
It all
started when Susan and her first husband, Ulli Beier, came to Nigeria. Beier
was a German researcher and a linguist while Susan was an artist. Susan worked
as an artist in Nigeria while her husband was a lecturer at the University of
Ibadan. They lived together in Ede, Osun state.
started when Susan and her first husband, Ulli Beier, came to Nigeria. Beier
was a German researcher and a linguist while Susan was an artist. Susan worked
as an artist in Nigeria while her husband was a lecturer at the University of
Ibadan. They lived together in Ede, Osun state.
While in
Ede, Wenger became interested in Yoruba rituals despite not being able to speak
the language. She reportedly got close to Ajagemo, one of the last priests of
Obatala worship. However, Susan and her husband later moved to Osogbo and they
divorced soon after.
Ede, Wenger became interested in Yoruba rituals despite not being able to speak
the language. She reportedly got close to Ajagemo, one of the last priests of
Obatala worship. However, Susan and her husband later moved to Osogbo and they
divorced soon after.
Beier moved back to Europe while his ex-wife stayed behind
to learn the art of being a priestess. The huge turning point in Susan’s life
came when she fell seriously ill with tuberculosis. The sickness was slowly
killing her till medicine men came to her aid and gave her herbal mixtures
which healed her.
to learn the art of being a priestess. The huge turning point in Susan’s life
came when she fell seriously ill with tuberculosis. The sickness was slowly
killing her till medicine men came to her aid and gave her herbal mixtures
which healed her.
After
she fully recovered, she dedicated her life to the orisa that saved her from
death. Being an artist with knowledge of Yoruba tradition, she used her art
works to express herself. Susan eventually gave love another chance. She got
married to a local drummer, Chief Ayansola Oniru Alarape, but they later
separated because he maltreated her. The artist later adopted 12 Yoruba kids
whom she cared for.
she fully recovered, she dedicated her life to the orisa that saved her from
death. Being an artist with knowledge of Yoruba tradition, she used her art
works to express herself. Susan eventually gave love another chance. She got
married to a local drummer, Chief Ayansola Oniru Alarape, but they later
separated because he maltreated her. The artist later adopted 12 Yoruba kids
whom she cared for.
Susan
Wenger was responsible for preserving the sacred Osun forest. She made sure to
also decorate the grove with several of her art works and works of other
artists. Because of her efforts, the Osun grove was declared a national
monument and in 2005, it became recognised as a world heritage site by the
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). On
January 12, 2009, Susan passed on at the age of 93.
Wenger was responsible for preserving the sacred Osun forest. She made sure to
also decorate the grove with several of her art works and works of other
artists. Because of her efforts, the Osun grove was declared a national
monument and in 2005, it became recognised as a world heritage site by the
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). On
January 12, 2009, Susan passed on at the age of 93.
