A woman whose identity has not been publicly disclosed has become the focus of widespread online attention after allegedly recording part of the annual Oloolu Masquerade Festival in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The incident, which quickly spread across social media platforms, has fueled conversations about traditional customs, cultural taboos and the role of social media in documenting sacred events.
Palace Explains What Was Actually Filmed
Clarifying reports surrounding the incident, Chief Adeola Oloko, spokesperson to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, said the woman did not capture footage of the revered Oloolu masquerade itself.
According to him, she mistakenly recorded Alawo Oloolu, a figure closely associated with the Oloolu tradition, while the procession was passing through the Ibadan area.
Oloko explained that traditional authorities contacted leaders at the Oloolu compound, who confirmed that the recording was made during the public movement of the procession rather than at a restricted ceremonial location.
Family Reportedly Sought Traditional Intervention
Following the video’s publication online, Oloko said the woman allegedly began experiencing unexplained health complications.
He claimed her relatives quickly approached custodians of the Oloolu tradition for assistance, after which traditional rites were carried out in accordance with longstanding cultural practices.
Oloko also used the incident to remind the public that women are traditionally forbidden from viewing certain aspects of the Oloolu procession, urging residents to respect established customs and avoid actions driven by curiosity.
Rumours About Disguise Remain Unconfirmed
As speculation intensified online, some social media users alleged the woman had disguised herself as a man to secretly record the procession.
However, Oloko said there was no evidence to support those claims, stressing that the only confirmed information available was that she took the footage while the procession was moving through a public street.
Videos Show Traditional Cleansing Ceremony
Several videos shared across social media appear to show the content creator participating in a public cleansing ritual at the Oloolu compound.
The footage shows the woman with a shaved head, dressed in red clothing and surrounded by traditional worshippers during what appeared to be prescribed rites.
Online posts also claimed that giant African snails, a ram and later a goat formed part of the ritual offerings, with one widely circulated video appearing to show the slaughter of a goat during the ceremony. These claims have not been independently verified by authorities.
Social Media Claims Woman Has Recovered
Ibadan-based digital creator Ayo Adams shared an update on X, saying he visited the Oloolu compound where officials informed him that the woman was alive and recovering.
According to his account, the woman discreetly recorded the procession in the Oremeji area before later complaining of health problems that she believed were connected to the incident.
Adams further claimed that police officers accompanied the woman and her family to the Oloolu compound, where she participated in traditional rites, including walking around an Ogun shrine.
He added that officials at the compound confirmed she had since reunited with her family and was recovering.
Police Say No Official Report Was Filed
Despite the widespread attention generated by the story, the Oyo State Police Command said it had no official information about the matter.
Police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka stated that the incident was never reported at any nearby police station, leaving law enforcement without details to verify the claims circulating online.
Oloolu Festival Holds Deep Cultural Importance
The annual Oloolu Festival is one of Ibadan’s longstanding traditional celebrations, bringing together descendants of the Oloolu lineage, traditional rulers, worshippers and cultural enthusiasts from across Yorubaland.
Activities during the festival include prayers, ritual observances, sacrifices, drumming, dancing and colourful processions intended to honour ancestors while seeking peace, protection and prosperity for the community.
Unlike many public masquerade celebrations, custodians of the Oloolu tradition maintain strict rules surrounding parts of the festival, including longstanding prohibitions on photographing or recording certain sacred aspects of the procession.
Festival Route Was Announced Before Celebrations
Before this year’s festivities, the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland released the official movement schedule for the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival, outlining the communities the procession would visit between July 28 and July 30.
The latest controversy has since renewed public discussion over balancing respect for cultural traditions with the widespread use of smartphones and social media during public events.
