Omoyele Sowore condemns traditional cleansing of TikToker over Oloolu masquerade video
Says human dignity must come first
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the traditional cleansing ritual reportedly carried out on a TikToker identified as Wasilat Olalere, following allegations that she recorded the revered Oloolu Masquerade procession in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The controversy stems from the annual Oloolu festival, which took place between July 27 and July 30, during which Wasilat was accused of disguising herself as a man to film the sacred masquerade despite longstanding cultural restrictions prohibiting women from seeing or recording the procession.
According to reports circulating on social media, the young woman allegedly began experiencing unexplained bleeding and emotional distress after the incident.
Traditional custodians of the Oloolu shrine subsequently conducted a spiritual cleansing ritual, during which her hair was shaved. Videos of the ceremony have since gone viral, triggering widespread public debate.
Reacting to the development, Sowore maintained that while cultural traditions deserve respect, practices that undermine fundamental human rights should not be tolerated.
In a statement shared on his social media page, he said:
“I learned today that a TikToker underwent a traditional ‘cleansing’ ritual after filming an Oloolu masquerade procession.
“While culture occupies a vital place in our lives, any cultural practice that is oppressive, discriminatory, or insensitive to gender should be abandoned immediately.
“Wasila was ultimately abused and stripped of her dignity by the very people who are often quick to condemn others for engaging in similar acts.
“It does not matter whether such abuse is carried out by anyone else.
“Any culture, tradition, or belief system that violates human dignity is unacceptable and has no place in a just society.”
His comments have added to the growing conversation surrounding the intersection of cultural preservation, gender rights and personal freedoms in Nigeria, with many Nigerians expressing differing opinions on social media over the incident.
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