Ibadan’s Egungun Oloolu Festival set to commence amid calls for peace and caution

Summary

• The annual Egungun Oloolu Festival, a significant cultural and spiritual event, is scheduled to run from Monday, 28th July, to Thursday, 31st July 2025, in Ibadan
• The festival, deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition, venerates ancestral spirits and is led by the revered Oloolu masquerade, known for its strict rituals and taboos, including a prohibition against women seeing it
• The Olubadan Palace has issued strong warnings for public safety and adherence to cultural norms, urging peaceful conduct among participants and advising women to avoid the masquerade’s procession routes
• The Oloolu masquerade will make traditional visits to key locations, including Government House, the new Olubadan Palace, and the residence of the Olubadan-designate, Oba (Senator) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja

Ibadan, Nigeria – Ibadan is abuzz with anticipation as the Egungun Oloolu Festival, a cultural cornerstone of the city, officially commences today, Monday, 28th July, and is set to run until Thursday, 31st July 2025. The annual event, announced by the Olubadan Palace, holds immense spiritual and cultural significance in Yoruba tradition, symbolising the veneration of ancestral spirits and acting as a conduit for blessings, prosperity, and communal harmony.

At the heart of the festival is the Oloolu masquerade, considered the most revered and feared in Yorubaland due to its formidable reputation and strict rituals. Managed by the Aje family of Ode Aje in Ibadan, the Oloolu’s origins are traced back to the warrior Ayorinde Aje, who brought the masquerade to Ibadan as a spiritual asset. Its costume includes unique sacred regalia, notably a female skull and human thigh bone, underscoring its spiritual potency.

Historically, the Oloolu’s ritual procession was crucial in averting crises such as famine and disease, restoring peace and prosperity to the ancient city.

The 2025 festival will see the Oloolu masquerade embark on traditional visits to several key locations across Ibadan. These include a customary visit to the Government House, Agodi, symbolising the blend of traditional and political authority. The masquerade will also pay homage at the newly inaugurated Aafin Olubadan Ile Ibadan, the state-of-the-art Olubadan Palace opened on 10 July 2024.

A particularly poignant visit will be to the residence of the Olubadan-designate, Oba (Senator) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, in Bodija. This visit underscores the masquerade’s connection to Ibadan’s royal lineage, as Oba Ladoja is poised to ascend the throne following the recent passing of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on 7 July 2025. The procession will also weave through prominent districts such as Popo-Yemoja, Beere, Oja’ba, and Idi Ape, where a ritual sacrifice is performed at midnight to appease the gods and ensure peace.

Adhering to strict ceremonial practices, the Oloolu masquerade bearer must observe 30 days of sexual abstinence prior to the festival and remain barefoot throughout the procession. An “Atokun” (coordinator) leads the masquerade, ensuring proper conduct and preventing unauthorised individuals from approaching.

Beyond the solemn rituals, the festival promises vibrant cultural performances, featuring traditional dancing, drumming, and songs, all designed to promote unity, peace, and economic upliftment within Ibadan and Yorubaland.

A crucial aspect of the Oloolu Festival are its strict taboos and advisories. The Olubadan Palace has issued strong warnings, specifically advising women to avoid seeing or crossing paths with the masquerade during its procession. This deeply ingrained Yoruba tradition carries beliefs that violation could lead to severe consequences, including barrenness or death, particularly for menstruating women who enter the masquerade’s “power house.”

The palace has called upon law enforcement to ensure public safety and adherence to these cultural norms. Furthermore, no other masquerade is permitted to challenge Oloolu’s authority, a dominance reinforced by historical accounts of consequences for those who dared.

In light of past incidents of violence during the broader Egungun Festival, the Olubadan Palace and local authorities are placing a strong emphasis on safety and security. Previous festivals, including in 2023, were marred by hooliganism, arson, and looting, leading to a temporary suspension by the late Oba Lekan Balogun.

For 2025, the palace has issued clear directives for peaceful conduct, urging masquerades and their handlers to avoid any form of disturbance. Law enforcement agencies have been tasked with maintaining order and protecting lives and property throughout the four-day event. A public notice from NYSC360 on X also advised corps members serving in Ibadan to observe safety guidelines during the festival, reflecting a community-wide commitment to order.

The Egungun Oloolu Festival is a vital thread in Ibadan’s rich cultural tapestry, which includes other significant masquerades like Alapansanpa. It not only celebrates Ibadan’s heritage but also reinforces the authority of the Olubadan as the paramount ruler and custodian of tradition. The festival’s cultural significance even extends globally, with events like the 2025 Ibadan Cultural Festival in the UK showcasing the diaspora’s dedication to preserving this legacy.

With the Olubadan throne currently vacant following Oba Olakulehin’s passing and Oba Ladoja designated as the next in line, the Oloolu masquerade’s visit to his residence symbolically underscores the continuity of Ibadan’s unique traditional governance system.

As the Egungun Oloolu Festival unfolds over the next four days, it promises to be a vibrant testament to Ibadan’s cultural and spiritual heritage. The proactive measures by the Olubadan Palace, coupled with its appeals for respect for cultural norms and peaceful conduct, aim to ensure that this year’s event is both a successful celebration of tradition and a safe experience for all.

Residents and visitors, particularly women, are strongly advised to observe the masquerade’s taboos and respect its procession routes for cultural compliance and personal safety.