Any culture that violates human dignity is unacceptable – Omoyele Sowore kicks against spiritual cleansing of Tiktoker accused of filiming sacred deity in Oyo

Activist and Presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, has kicked against the spiritual cleansing of a Tiktoker identified as Wasilat, accused of filming the sacred Oloolu Masquerade in Ibadan, Oyo State, during its celebration held between July 27 and July 30.

Wasilat is alleged to have disguised herself as a man and recorded the revered masquerade despite repeated warnings that women must neither see nor record the masquerade in procession. The young lady is said to have started experiencing unexplained bleeding and emotional distress, leading to a traditional cleansing ceremony conducted by custodians of the Oloolu shrine. Videos shared online showed the traditionalists shaving Wasilat’s hair as part of the cleansing ritual.

Reacting to the cleaning carried out on Wasilat, Omoyele argued that while culture occupies a vital place in our lives, any cultural practice that is oppressive, discriminatory, or insensitive to gender should be abandoned immediately.

”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.”