Background
The Ladekoju
Heritage House
Located in the capital of Osun State, the Ladekoju Heritage House has a significant association with the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Osun River and Sacred Groves as well as the broader community. The building is a 3-floor Afro-Brazilian style architectural edifice located in the center of Osogbo.
It currently contains over 400 works of art from artists of the New Sacred Art Movement founded by Austrian-Nigerian artist Susanne Wenger (Adunni Olorisa), and artifacts owned by Chief Priestess Princess Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi.
The construction of the building began in the early 1920s by Chief Gbadamosi Fabire Abolubode, a Nigerian from Osogbo with the traditional Chief title of Babakekere of Osogboland. He later gifted the building to Susanne Wenger to further her efforts at the Òsun Sacred Groves who occupied the building between 1958–2009 when her daughter, Chief Priestess Princess Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi, assumed oversight.
For almost 70 years, the Historic Property has been cared for beginning with The University of Ibadan Institute for African Studies who managed the property and handled the lease. Subsequently, Susanne Wenger assumed responsibility, followed by John Adeleke Snr. Later, the lease transitioned to John Adeleke Jr., then to Adunni Olorisha Trust, and today, it is under the care of the Ladekoju Arts and Culture Foundation.
A Sacred
Living Space
Today, Chief Priestess Princess Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi, the inspiration and Elder for Ladekoju Foundation, lives and works in the multifaceted space known as the Ladekoju Heritage House.
The significance of the space transcends that of a home or living museum; it is a functioning communal shrine and learning center that will restore a cooperative where local art, including indigo cloth, beadwork, textiles, wood carvings, as well as books can be purchased. This living, breathing, sacred space is available to the local community and those in the diaspora who are looking to reconnect with their African ancestry and Heritage.