Àjàhúngbó: Badagry’s Deity of Living Gold

By Peter Dansu  Badagry is a land steeped in mysteries, but few are as radiant as the shrine of Àjàhúngbó. Within its sacred walls lies a v...

By Peter Dansu 

Badagry is a land steeped in mysteries, but few are as radiant as the shrine of Àjàhúngbó. Within its sacred walls lies a vothun (òrìṣà) said to embody pure, untouchable gold — revealed to the world only once a year.

The unveiling comes with the annual festival, usually in September. On that day, the shrine doors open, and it is not the strength of youth but the wisdom of age that carries the deity forth. Elderly women — mothers who have labored, endured, and lived — lift Àjàhúngbó with steady hands and measured steps, bringing the sacred presence before the people.

In that moment, silence and awe descend. The town holds its breath as drums echo, chants rise, and all eyes fix on the gleaming symbol of heritage. This is not spectacle; it is a living reminder that what was revered centuries ago still holds power today.

Àjàhúngbó does not emerge for show, but for meaning — not to measure wealth, but to weigh worth. Those who witness the sacred outing carry its memory like a golden thread, binding generations together.

Once each year, as Àjàhúngbó steps forth, Badagry remembers its roots, its treasures, and the enduring soul of its people.

-Inspired by Badagryblog

-Photos Credit: @Prestaz