Popular Yorùbá Comedian Ozain Summoned by Masquerade Traditionalists Over Controversial Video

Popular Yorùbá comedy skitmsker Hussein Mubarak Kehinde, widely known as Ozain, has been summoned by the Ìjọ Ọjẹ Parapọ̀ Welfare Association, Nigeria and Overseas, over a recent video he released on social media involving a Yorùbá masquerade. The video, which has sparked widespread controversy, has drawn the ire of traditionalists who claim it disrespects Yorùbá cultural and spiritual practices.

In the skit, Ozain portrays a chauffeur-driven wealthy man who is approached by a masquerade accompanied by its managers. The masquerade’s entourage solicits money from the wealthy man, who obliges by giving cash to the managers but refuses to offer anything to the masquerade itself. Ozain’s character then proceeds to hurl insults at the masquerade, even daring the person behind the mask to reveal their face.

When the masquerade obliges by unmasking, Ozain and his driver still refuse to give the wad of currency notes they had earlier flashed. The video concludes with Ozain driving off while continuing to verbally abuse the masquerade.

The video has since gone viral, eliciting mixed reactions from the public. While some viewers found it humorous, others, particularly custodians of Yorùbá culture, have condemned it as a blatant disrespect to Yorùbá traditions and spirituality.

In response to the video, the Ìjọ Ọjẹ Parapọ̀ Welfare Association, a prominent Yorùbá masquerade cult, has summoned Ozain and his team to appear before the head of masquerades in Ibadan.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, Ọmọ’ba Adéọlá Ayoola, President of the association, issued a stern ultimatum, demanding that Ozain and everyone involved in the video’s production present themselves before the Olórí Alágbáà (head of masquerades) at Ogungbaja’s house in Ibadan latest by Friday, March 14, 2025.

Speaking in Yorùbá, Ayoola stated, “We are expecting Ozain and his team at the house of Olórí Alágbáà at Ogungbaja’s house, Ibadan, between now, 6 minutes past two in the afternoon, and tomorrow, the 14th of March 2025, to come and explain the intention behind the video. We implore you to answer this call.”

Masquerades, known as egúngún in Yorùbá culture, hold deep spiritual and cultural significance. They are believed to be manifestations of ancestral spirits and are revered as intermediaries between the living and the dead.

The rituals and performances associated with masquerades are sacred, and any form of disrespect or mockery is considered a serious offense. Traditionally, masquerades are not to be unmasked or disrespected, as doing so is seen as an affront to the ancestors and the community’s spiritual heritage.

In recent years, there has been growing concern among Yorùbá traditionalists about the portrayal of their culture in modern media.

Content creators and filmmakers have been repeatedly cautioned against misrepresenting Yorùbá spiritual practices, particularly those related to Ifá and other traditional belief systems. The Ozain incident is the latest in a series of controversies where Yorùbá cultural elements have been depicted in ways deemed inappropriate or offensive by custodians of the culture.

The summoning of Ozain has reignited discussions about the responsibility of content creators to balance creative expression with cultural sensitivity. While comedy and satire are important forms of entertainment, they must be approached with caution when dealing with deeply rooted cultural and spiritual practices. The incident serves as a reminder that cultural heritage is not merely a backdrop for storytelling but a living tradition that demands respect.

As the deadline for Ozain’s appearance approaches, many are watching closely to see how the situation will unfold. Will the comedian and his team heed the call of the traditionalists? And what implications will this have for the future of cultural representation in Nigerian media?

For now, the Ìjọ Ọjẹ Parapọ̀ Welfare Association remains resolute in its demand for accountability, emphasizing that Yorùbá culture and spirituality must be upheld and respected at all times. The West