Society
Do’s and Don’ts You Should Know As Famous Agemo Festival Kicks Off
aimed at ensuring public safety and preserving the age-old traditions
As preparations gather pace for the 2026 Agemo Festival in Ijebuland (Ogun State), organisers have issued a set of guidelines aimed at ensuring public safety and preserving the age-old traditions associated with one of the Yoruba nation’s most revered cultural festivals.
The advisory urges residents and visitors to observe certain dos and don’ts during the period of the festival, particularly as the sacred masquerades embark on ritual processions across parts of Ijebuland.
According to the guidelines, women are advised to restrict their movements and avoid travelling along designated routes, including the Epe–Ijebu-Ode, Isiwo–Ijebu-Ode and Ago-Iwoye roads during the daytime when the masquerades are expected to be on the move.
The organisers also advised members of the public to remain indoors or stay off the streets during restricted hours to avoid unintended encounters with the masquerades.
On the final day of the rites at Imosan, however, a public dance will be held where both men and women are welcome to safely witness and celebrate the cultural performance.
The organisers warned against attempting to uncover, obstruct or interfere with any masquerade procession, stressing that the masquerades perform sacred spiritual rites and should be given a wide berth.
Women are also prohibited from witnessing the masquerades in transit or seeing their sacred loads, known as Eru Agemo, during the festival.
The advisory further cautioned against photographing or recording secret processions and sacred rites without authorisation, urging anyone wishing to capture aspects of the festival to first seek permission from the traditional custodians on what may be recorded.
The Agemo Festival is one of the oldest and most significant traditional festivals in Ijebuland, Ogun State. Celebrated annually by the Ijebu people, it brings together representatives of several Agemo cult groups from different towns in a series of spiritual rites believed to promote peace, unity, cleansing and the wellbeing of the land.
The festival culminates in colourful public celebrations after days of sacred rituals that are observed under long-established traditional customs.
Organisers appealed to residents and visitors to respect the festival’s cultural and spiritual significance by adhering to the guidelines throughout the celebration, noting that cooperation would help ensure a peaceful and successful 2026 Agemo Festival.
