Nigeria: Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove – Mona Monkeys
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is also home to hundreds of Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona). They are known for their expressive faces, distinct markings, and playful nature. These monkeys, like anything else in the grove , hold spiritual significance , aligning with the Yoruba people’s belief that animals in sacred spaces act as protectors or messengers of their gods. You can see the monkeys run and climb all over god statues and various voodoo sacrificial rocks. Mona monkeys have incredibly expressive faces, which they use to communicate emotions. Their tails are longer than their bodies and help with balance as they navigate treetops. Mona monkeys can solve puzzles and adapt their behaviors in response to human activity, they can raid crops as well.
