Any Tradition That Violates Human Dignity Is Unacceptable’ — Sowore On Oloolu Ritual.

 

Activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the traditional cleansing ritual performed on a TikToker identified as Wasilat after she allegedly filmed the Oloolu masquerade in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Wasilat was reportedly accused of disguising herself as a man to record the sacred masquerade during its procession between July 27 and July 30, despite warnings that women were prohibited from seeing or filming the masquerade.

Following the incident, she was said to have experienced unexplained bleeding and emotional distress, prompting custodians of the Oloolu shrine to conduct a traditional cleansing ceremony.

Videos circulating online showed traditionalists shaving Wasilat’s hair during the ritual.

Reacting to the development, Sowore criticised the cleansing ceremony, arguing that cultural practices should not be used to violate human dignity or discriminate against people based on gender.

He acknowledged the importance of culture but maintained that traditions considered oppressive or discriminatory should be abandoned.

“I learned today that a TikToker underwent a traditional ‘cleansing’ ritual after filming an Oloolu masquerade procession,” Sowore said.

“While culture occupies a vital place in our lives, any cultural practice that is oppressive, discriminatory, or insensitive to gender should be abandoned immediately.”

Sowore described the treatment of Wasilat as an abuse of her dignity, arguing that cultural or religious justification should not excuse such conduct.

“Wasilat was ultimately abused and stripped of her dignity by the very people who are often quick to condemn others for engaging in similar acts,” he said.

He added that the identity or affiliation of those responsible should not affect the principle involved.

“It does not matter whether such abuse is carried out by anyone else,” Sowore stated.

“Any culture, tradition, or belief system that violates human dignity is unacceptable and has no place in a just society.”