Oloolu family defends traditional rite after TikToker filmed masquerade festival

The Oloolu family in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, has defended the traditional cleansing ritual administered to TikToker Wasilat Olalere following her filming and sharing of footage from the annual Oloolu masquerade festival. The family asserts that the ritual adhered to long-standing customs associated with the festival and confirmed that Olalere completed the rites, offered an apology, and returned home unharmed.

Oluwo Ishola Akeem, Secretary of the Oloolu compound, explained in Yoruba that Olalere admitted to recording and uploading the video despite customs prohibiting public filming of the masquerade. He stated she subsequently removed the video from her TikTok page and expressed regret. Akeem also revealed that Olalere had attempted to film the festival last year without success and returned this year disguised as a man to capture the procession, though she did not film the masquerade itself.

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Last year, Wasilat recorded Oloolu but was not able to capture it well. This year, on the final day of the festival, she dressed like a man and recorded the followers and entourage, although she did not capture the masquerade itself. She later posted the video on TikTok.

Akeem further clarified that Olalere was initially taken from her residence to prevent community unrest and was held at a police station to allow tensions to de-escalate before the traditional rites commenced. He dismissed social media reports of her death as false, confirming, "Wasilat is alive. She has returned home after completing the necessary rites and has said she will not repeat the act."

The family remains dedicated to preserving the traditions of the Oloolu masquerade festival and urged the public to respect its customs.

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Wasilat is alive. She has returned home after completing the necessary rites and has said she will not repeat the act.