Atipako, one of the prominent masquerades (Egungun) and other masquerades in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Wednesday performed dance for the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun and other High Chiefs despite a warning by the Olubadan of Ibadanland that none of the masquerades should perform for them.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji had on Sunday issued a statement that masquerades have been banned to dance for the High Chiefs due to security challenges in the ancient city.
But the masquerades on Wednesday thronged the Aliwo family compound of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun for the symbolic masquerade dance.
Other High Chiefs that were present at the Aliwo compound include High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun; High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Ashipa Olubadan; High Chief Amidu Ajibade, Ekaarun Olubadan; High Chief Kolawole Adegbola, Ekeerin Balogun; High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ekerin Olubadan; High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin Balogun of Ibadanland.
When the masquerades eventually appeared around 2:34pm, the mammoth crowd in attendance went into wild jubilation.
The climax of the programme came when Atipako performed rituals by beheading a dog.
Balogun while speaking said, “I don’t know what the Olubadan stood to gain from his action. He went to the extent of stopping the , a prominent masquerade and also some people from coming. I have hosted this event for more than 6-7 years.”
“They had few of their agents telling the masquerades not to come. Olubadan does a lot of strange things. This controversy is very strange”.
“He (Olubadan) applied to the former Olubadan that he wanted to host it and he was allowed. He now became Olubadan and he wanted to stop others from hosting it.”
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