****Oloolu Masquerade Festival Begins Monday, July 27; Lists Places To Visit
*****says it is a taboo for women to see it
The year 2026 Oloolu Festival Celebration begins on Monday 27th July 2026 which is the celebration eve (Aisun odun Oloolu) with visit to His Imperial Majesty the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa1) at his Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan where he will offer prayers for Olubadan, his council members, indigenes, residents and Ibadanland as a whole.
The masquerade will later visit the Otun Olubadan Oba (Sir)) Eddy Oyewole residence at Foko Area of Ibadan the same day.
The statement was contained in the press release issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga on Friday.
On Tuesday 28th July 2026, according to Mogaji Ile Aje, Ode-Aje Oloolu compound Ibadan, Chief Kazeem Omotoso Abija, Oloolu will visit His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde at Government House Agodi, Ibadan, he will later visit Aliiwo, Yemetu , Oje market, Isale -Afa, Oke Aremo, Popo – Yemoja, Bode Market , Molete ,Isale – Ijebu, Elekuro, Kobomoje and then to Oranmiyan.
On Wednesday 29th July, Oloolu will visit Ojagbo, Alafara Olubadan, Ita – Bale, Ogboriefon, Labo , Kobomoje.
On Thursday 30th July which is the last day for the Oloolu Masquerade festival celebration for this year, the masquerade will visit Ile-Aperin, Agugu, Iyana Idi – Iroko, Oremeji, Awotunde Jegede , Itamerin-Gangansi, Babanla, Gbaremu and Idi-Obi.
His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa1) while congratulating the masquerade, indigenes and residents of Ibadanland for God’s mercy to witness 2026 Oloolu Masquerade festival, enjoined them to allow absolute peace to reign during the celebration.
His Imperial Majesty warned women not to see Oloolu as it’s a taboo according to the tradition of Ibadanland to do so, the photograph and video of the masquerade should not be taken.
Kabiyesi Arusa1 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 break down of law and order during the festival activities.
The Paramount ruler calls on law enforcement agents to prevent the break down of law and order during the festival by being alive to their cardinal responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people.
It would be recalled that Ibadan Egungun Festival that commenced on Sunday 21st June this year will end on Thursday 30th July 2026 with the grand finale of the Oloolu visit to some notable areas within Ibadan metropolis to appease God and offer prayers for the security, peace, unity, progress, and development of Ibadanland
