Lifestyle
The Story of Oyotunji: A Yoruba Nation in America
The transatlantic slave trade scattered millions of Africans across the Americas, many of whom carried their cultural and religious heritage with them into bondage. Among these groups were the Yoruba people, who preserved and passed down their language, traditions, and spiritual practices through generations—even in foreign lands where such identities were systematically suppressed.
One of the most remarkable legacies of this cultural preservation is Oyotunji African Village, located near Sheldon, in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Oyotunji, meaning “Oyo returns” or “Oyo resurrects”, is considered North America’s oldest authentic African village. The community was founded in 1970 by His Royal Highness Oba (King) Waja, Ofuntola Oseijeman Adelabu Adefunmi I, a Black American who sought to revive Yoruba culture and spiritual practices in the diaspora.
The Founder: Oba Adefunmi I
Born Walter Eugene King on October 5, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Oba Adefunmi was raised in an environment that encouraged cultural exploration. After graduating from Cass Technical High School, he joined the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe, which led to exposure to African and Caribbean spiritual traditions. His travels to Haiti deepened his knowledge and interest in Yoruba spirituality.
In 1959, he became the first African-American to be fully initiated into the Orisha-Vodun African priesthood by Afro-Cuban priests in Matanzas, Cuba. Following this initiation, Adefunmi founded the Sango Temple in Harlem, New York, which later became the Yoruba Temple. He also incorporated the African Theological Arch Ministry in 1960 to promote Yoruba religious practices.
The Founding of Oyotunji Village
In 1970, Adefunmi established Oyotunji African Village, laying the foundation for a community rooted in traditional Yoruba customs, governance, and spiritual systems. The village spans 27 acres and was structured based on the sociopolitical and religious traditions of the Yoruba and Dahomey tribes of West Africa. The aim was to build an autonomous African-centered society within the U.S., free from Western cultural domination.
To deepen his cultural legitimacy and religious authority, Adefunmi traveled to Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1972, where he was initiated into the Ifa priesthood by the Oluwo of Ijeun. Later that same year, he was crowned Alase (Oba or King) of the Yoruba of North America at Oyotunji.
Leadership Legacy
Oba Adefunmi I led Oyotunji until his passing on February 10, 2005. Since then, leadership has been passed on to his son, Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II, who now reigns as the Oloyotunji of Oyotunji. Under his leadership, the village continues to serve as a hub for African spiritual revival and cultural education in the diaspora.
Significance
Oyotunji stands as a powerful symbol of cultural resilience and identity preservation. It is more than just a geographical space—it is a statement of cultural autonomy, spiritual revival, and reconnection with African roots. Today, Oyotunji remains a living embodiment of Yoruba heritage in the heart of America.
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He was reacting to the recent protest by Ghanaians demanding Nigerians must leave their country.
Nollywood actor and politician Yul Edochie has urged Igbos in diaspora to return home.
He was reacting to the recent protest by Ghanaians demanding Nigerians must leave their country.
In a post on Facebook, he urged Igbos abroad to to return and invest in their homeland.
Taking to his page, he wrote:
“Ndi Igbo come back home and invest in Igbo land.
If you’re facing rejection on foreign soil, it’s not a sign to fight anybody, it’s a sign to return home.
We have wandered for too long.
Home is calling.
Our ancestors and spirits in Igbo Land are calling us to return home and develop home.
A new dawn has come in Igbo land.
It’s time to return home.
Ana amalu mma si na uno wee puo ilo,” he wrote.
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Enenche claimed that the nation is under an evil spell amid the economic hardship ravaging the country.
Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche has revealed the problem of Nigeria.
According to him, the country is under a demonic spell and witchcraft.
He said that’s the reason why the people have continued to tolerate suffering and hardship.
“There’s a blanket of sorcery and darkness over this nation; an evil spell making people tolerate what should provoke outrage,” he wrote.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, the cleric highlighted the economic struggles faced by many Nigerians, noting that increasing numbers of church members now line up after services not for spiritual counseling or prayer, but for basic needs such as rent, school fees, food and medical bills.
“People are suffering. Pastors are drained. Members now queue after service not for prayer, but for help,” he lamented.
He also criticized political leaders for what he described as their insensitivity and failure to address the dire situation across the country.
“Yet, the leaders act as though nothing is wrong. This is not normal. It is witchcraft. A spell of patience in captivity. A demonic tolerance of suffering.”
Calling for divine intervention, Enenche declared: “Let every evil spell over this land be broken! Let those misruling with arrogance and mocking the people’s pain face divine judgment. They shall not see the celebration of their wickedness.”
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Lifestyle
Spirits Are Angry – Actor, Yul Edochie Talks About Why There Are Too Many Early And Untimely De@ths In Nigeria
According to him, he recently traveled from Anambra to Abia state and was taken aback by the number obituaries he saw of young people.
Actor Yul Edochie has expressed concern over the alarming rate of early and untimely de@ths in Nigeria.
According to him, he recently travelled from Anambra to Abia state and was taken aback by the number obituaries he saw of young people.
He attributed the early de@ths to the ancestors and spirits being angry because many have abandoned traditional ways of worship.
He said the society needs spiritual cleansing and every African needs to return to traditional religion.
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