Oyotunji village is a New-African settlement situated close to Sheldon, Beaufort County, South Carolina. It’s a village that’s thought to be the North America’s oldest authentic African village. Oyotunji was founded in 1970 and is the initial intentional community in North America, supporting the culture of the Yoruba and African country tribes in West-africa. The name “oyotunji” is named after the Oyo empire and also, the name virtually interprets to ‘Oyo rises again’. It’s the primary noted black nationalist settlement developed by African-American worshippers of the African deities.
Oyotunji represents a reshaping of African cultural and non secular traditions whereas reflective black nationalist trends. The village founder was born Walter Eugene King in 1928 in metropolis, Michigan. Throughout the late Fifties, Walter King was initiated to Santeria in Cuba where he determined that the Spanish slave masters Christian religion heavily influenced the uncommunicative , exclusive Cuban spiritual customs. He also, discerned that the White Practitioners dominated the practices reduced African customs. And so, he went on to found a house of worship and branded it the Yoruba Temple.
After creating Oyotunji, Walter King modified his name to Oseijeman Adefunmi and wanted an open house for the black deities per African traditions. After many relocation, Oyotunji opened in 1970 at it’s current location in Sheldon, South Carolina. Oba Adefunmi’s influence additionally grew as supporters topped him Oba in 1972. High ranking spiritual leaders confirmed his standing journeys to African nation in 1981.
After Oba Adefunmi’s death in 2005, the village continued below the leadership of his son, Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi who updated Oyotunji’s structure and goals focusing additional on sustainability programs. The village is a retreat from the pressures of life and work. shopping of lands is allowed however solely by potential residents and additionally, short term guests will visit the village for religious consultations, festivals and long lodging. The village covers a region of twenty seven (27) acres, and features a Yoruba Temple that was affected from Harlem, New-york to it’s present location.
