THE EMERGENCE OF OYO TOWN IN AMERICA

THE EMERGENCE OF OYO TOWN IN AMERICA

Oyo town of the United States of America is located in South Carolina. It was named after the Oyo town or empire in Nigeria. Oyo town was founded by Oranmiyan, son of Oduduwa, around 13th century after his return from Benin. Oyotunji town which means Oyo has come or risen was founded in 1970 by some Oyo descendants. The village has a Yoruba temple and it was said have a population of about 5 – 9 families. Oyotunji town or village has a king.The current King of Oyotunji is Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II, who took over the position after the death of his father, Oba Oseijeman Adefunmi I, in 2005. Oba Oseijeman Adefunmi I. His original birth names are Walter Eugene King.

He was initiated to the Ifa priesthood by the Oluwa of Ijeun at Abeokuta, Nigeria, in August of 1972. Baba Adefunmi was proclaimed Alase (Oba-King) of the Yoruba of North America at Oyotunji Village in 1972. In 1981, the Caribbean Visual Arts and Research Center in New York sponsored Oba Adefunmi to be a presenter at the first World Congress of Orisa tradition and culture at the University of Ile-Ife, Nigeria. After his presentation, His Royal Majesty King, Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, the “Ooni” of the ancient Yoruba city of Ile Ife,Nigeria, summoned Adefunmi and ordered the Ife Chiefs to perform coronation rites on him; Thereafter becoming Oba Ofuntola Oseijeman Adelabu Adefunmi I.
In the summer of 1993, Oba Adefunmi supervised the establishment of Ijo Orunmila Igbo Mimo, the first African American Ifa society. During the fall of 1993, he became the only official representative of traditional religion, to address the Parliament of World Religions in the one hundred year history of that organization.