The palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland has announced the official movement schedule for the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival, outlining the communities the revered masquerade will visit from Tuesday, July 28, to Thursday, July 30.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Chief Ayoade Olugbemigbe, the palace said the Oloolu Masquerade will commence its daily procession at 4:00 p.m. and continue until dawn, following designated routes across Ibadan as part of the annual cultural celebration.
According to the itinerary, the masquerade will visit Government House, Agodi, Aliiwo, Yemetu, Oje Market, Olubadan Palace, Isale-Afa, Oke Aremo, Popo-Yemoja, Bode Market, Molete, Isale-Ijebu, Elekuro, Kobomoje and Oranmiyan on Tuesday, July 28.
On Wednesday, July 29, the procession will move through Ojagbo, Alafara Olubadan, Ita-Baale, Ogboriefon, Labo, Kudeti, Ile Tuntun/Oke Odo and Kobomoje.
The final day, Thursday, July 30, will see the masquerade visit Ile-Aperin, Agugu, Iyana Idi-Iroko, Awotunde Jegede, Itamerin-Gangansi and Babanla.
The movement schedule is part of activities marking the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival, which began on Monday, July 27, with the Aisun Odun Oloolu, the traditional festival eve.
Ahead of the celebration, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, urged residents, masquerade followers and visitors to ensure a peaceful festival in line with the customs of Ibadanland.
The monarch reiterated the long-standing tradition that forbids women from seeing the Oloolu Masquerade and warned members of the public against taking photographs or recording videos of the masquerade during the festival.
Oba Ladoja also cautioned the Oloolu Masquerade, Egungun leaders, their followers, adherents of various religions and the general public against any act capable of disrupting public peace or causing a breakdown of law and order throughout the celebration.
