Yoruba in the Diaspora

[Olùkọ́ Ọbádélé]

Yoruba Culture in the Diaspora (Oyotunji African Village) In keeping with its mission to promote the Yoruba culture in Africa and in Diaspora, Egbe Isokan Yoruba took a historic trip to OyotunjiAfrican Village in South Carolina. This was a pay-back for similar trip to Washington by His Royal Highness Oba Oseijeman Adefunmi I and his people during the July 1995 celebration of Yoruba Month. Oba Oseijeman Adefunmi I, Olori Adefunmi and traditional chiefs at the King's courtyard. This trip to Oyotunji Village was sponsored and organized by the Diaspora Committee of Egbe Isokan Yoruba. On Friday May 31, thirteen members of Isokan Yoruba family with three children left Washington DC in a convoy of two mini-buses and a car, and headed down south to Oyotunji African Village, which is approximately 8 hours from Washington D.C. It is a Yoruba community that maintains a community lifestyle that is strikingly similar to any small town in Yorubaland. Oyotunji Village has all the trappings of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yorubaland. Every known Yoruba deity has his or her own shrine, neatly adorned with all materials made famous by that particular god or goddess. For instance, Ogun— the god of iron was surrounded by specially crafted irons and homage was paid to him every now and then. Every shrine has a designated priest responsible for its daily upkeep and for performing necessary rituals. A boldly written, long inscription cataloging the achievements and historical background of each god/goddess is placed beside each shrine. Dr Valentine Ojo, one of Isokan members who made the trip was so impressed by what he saw that he said that "coming to Oyotunji Village was a spiritual and cultural re-awakening." Yemoja, priestess of the ocean. Apart from daily chores of making a living, life in Oyotunji village is centered around a calendar year of activities. The first day of each year is designated the ‘reading of the year’. On this day the Ifa priests consult the Ifa oracle to reveal the state of the universe; the turns and the bends of the new year. Olokun festival is a two-day event from February 25-26 in celebration of the goddess of the deep sea for its enrichment of Yoruba soul and soil in preparation for the planting season. Homage is paid to both Esu and Ogun Deities in March; April is for Osun pageantry. The Egungun festival is towards the tail end of April. It was during the Egungun festival that we visited the kingdom. As the special guests of the king and his subjects; we were treated to the old-fashioned brand of Egungun. The society of Moremi celebrates her triumph over the invaders and proclaims her as symbol of motherhood. Egungun festival in Oyotunji As if to nod its agreement with Egbe Isokan Yoruba which has designated the month of July as ‘Yoruba Month’, Oyotunji village also celebrates the rich Yoruba culture during this month with a view to ensuring the continuation of Yoruba tradition. The rest of the year is marked with a variety of activities ranging from conferences on women to elaborate processions in honor of the birthday of the Oba in October. The kingdom was built from scratch through the communal efforts of the men and women of Oyotunji village. This is truly a reflection of the long enduring Yoruba legacy of community values. During the visit, cultural reception and Egungun festival were held in the honor of the visiting Isokan family. Egbe Isokan Yoruba has decided to make a yearly trip to Oyotunji village. HRH Oseijeman Adefunmi I, King of Oyotunji.