The palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland recently issued a statement warning residents and visitors to Ibadan, particularly women, to avoid the most popular masquerade known as Oloolu.

According to the palace, the annual Egungun Oloolu festival will commence on Monday, 28th and end on Thursday, 31st July 2025, with the masquerade coming out every day for that period.

However, the palace in the statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga, and made available to Tribune Online, warned that it’s a taboo for women to see or cross paths with Oloolu.

“It is a taboo for women to see Oloolu Masquerade; consequently, women are thoroughly advised to avoid the Masquerade at all costs and not cross his paths in their own interest,” the palace warned.

Ahead of this popular Egungun festival in the ancient city of Ibadan, Tribune Online takes a look at the places the popular masquerade will visit during the period of the festival.

While the palace explained that Oloolu will visit the Government House and also pay a royal visit to Olubadan-designate, Oba (Senator) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja at his residence in Bodija, some other notable places include:

Ode Aje (the masquerade’s root)

Agodi

Oke Aremo

Ojà Oba

Òjé

Beere

Bodè

Idi Arere

Agugu

Eleyele

Orita Aperin

Mapo

Oranyan

Labo

Odinjo

Popo-Yemoja

The palace however called on the law enforcement agents to be alive to their responsibility of safety of life, property and reduction of crimes that used to characterize Oloolu Masquerade Festival.

The statement further described the Oloolu Masquerade Festival as an Ibadan annual event to entertain and appease the gods and goddesses of Ibadanland to bless, guarantee peace, promote unity, and progress of Ibadanland. (Sunday Tribune)