Olubadan Warns Against Filming Oloolu Masquerade

Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has issued a fresh warning ahead of this year's Oloolu masquerade festival, cautioning residents against photographing, filming, or recording the masquerade during its outing.

The directive came in a statement signed by Chief Solomon Ayoade, Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, and released on Friday.

According to the statement, the Oloolu masquerade festival will officially begin on Monday. Oloolu is widely regarded as the largest and most significant masquerade in Ibadan's history, and its outing draws attention across the old city every year.

The proclamation laid out clear expectations for residents:

• No photographing, filming, or recording of the masquerade
• Women are not permitted to view the masquerade, in line with tradition
• Residents should follow all guidelines issued for the procession

The Olubadan explained that the restriction on women viewing the masquerade is rooted in longstanding Ibadan custom, describing it as a taboo rather than a new rule.

Security was also front and center in the palace's message. The Olubadan directed security agencies to maintain law and order throughout the procession, and appealed directly to those involved to keep things peaceful.

"Kabiyesi warned Oloolu Masquerade, other Egungun leaders and their followers, other religious adherents as well as the members of the public to give peace a chance and should desist from any activity that can cause crisis or breakdown of law and order during the festival activities," the statement read.

On the restriction itself, the palace was direct.

"His Imperial Majesty warned women not to see Oloolu as it is a taboo according to the tradition of Ibadanland to do so; the photograph and video of the masquerade should not be taken," the statement said.

Masquerade festivals like Oloolu are more than spectacle. They carry centuries of spiritual and cultural weight for the communities that observe them, and the rules around them are treated with the same seriousness as any other civic or religious observance.

For residents and visitors in Ibadan this week, the message from the palace is simple. Enjoy the festival, respect the tradition, and leave the cameras at home.