The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), has announced that the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival will begin on Monday, July 27, with a series of traditional visits across Ibadan, while urging residents to maintain peace throughout the celebration.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Chief Solomon Ayoade.
The monarch also warned women against seeing the Oloolu masquerade, describing it as a taboo under the tradition of Ibadanland, and prohibited the taking of photographs or videos of the masquerade.
According to the statement, the four-day festival will commence on Monday, July 27, with the eve of the celebration (Aisun Odun Oloolu). The Oloolu masquerade will first pay a courtesy visit to the Olubadan at his palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, where prayers will be offered for the monarch, members of the Olubadan-in-Council, indigenes, residents and the overall peace and prosperity of Ibadanland.
The masquerade will later visit the residence of the Otun Olubadan, Oba (Sir) Eddy Oyewole, in Foko area of Ibadan.
The Mogaji of Ile Aje, Ode-Aje Oloolu Compound, Chief Kazeem Omotoso Abija, said the masquerade would, on Tuesday, July 28, pay a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Government House, Agodi, before proceeding to Aliiwo, Yemetu, Oje Market, Isale-Afa, Oke-Aremo, Popo-Yemoja, Bode Market, Molete, Isale-Ijebu, Elekuro, Kobomoje and Oranmiyan.
On Wednesday, July 29, the Oloolu masquerade will visit Ojagbo, Alafara Olubadan, Ita-Bale, Ogboriefon, Labo and Kobomoje.
The festival will climax on Thursday, July 30, with visits to Ile-Aperin, Agugu, Iyana Idi-Iroko, Awotunde Jegede, Itamerin-Gangansi and Babanla.
Congratulating the masquerade, indigenes and residents of Ibadanland on witnessing this year’s festival, Oba Ladoja called for peaceful conduct throughout the celebration.
“Women must not see the Oloolu masquerade, as it remains a taboo according to the tradition of Ibadanland. Likewise, photographs and videos of the masquerade should not be taken,” he said.
Olubadan also cautioned the Oloolu masquerade, other Egungun leaders and their followers, adherents of other religions and members of the public against any act capable of causing unrest.
“All stakeholders should give peace a chance and desist from any activity capable of causing crisis or a breakdown of law and order during the festival,” Oba Ladoja said.
He further urged security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure adequate protection of lives and property throughout the celebration.
The monarch noted that the ongoing Ibadan Egungun Festival, which began on June 21, 2026, will officially end on Thursday, July 30, with the grand finale of the Oloolu Masquerade Festival.
According to the palace, the final procession is intended to offer prayers for God’s continued protection, peace, unity, progress and development of Ibadanland.
