Meet The first American To Become An Oba In Youruba Land

Meet The first American To Become An Oba In Youruba Land

There have been many kings, who rule some communities in the Yoruba land, only a few of them were born in Nigeria.

However, there was a man, who was born in America, had an American citizenship, but eventually became an Oba in the Yoruba kingdom.

Walter Eugene was born on the 5th of October, 1928, in Michigan, United States.

He was initiated to become a clergy. When he became an Oba, his name changed to Oba Efuntola Oseijeman Adelabu Adefunmi.

While he was growing up in the United States, he became so much interested in knowing about the culture of Africans. He had a trip to some countries in Africa, to study their cultures.

He was the first black American to be ordained in the Obatala priesthood, that was how his original name changed.

Oba Oseijeman got married to several women, had sons, and daughters, who became princes, and princesses.

He established some Yoruba oracles in over ten states, inside the US.

He was a very prominent figure, and a spiritual ruler of the Yoruba kingdom. He passed away on the 11th of February, 2005.

Adefunmi’s brother is Henri “Umbaji” King, who was one of the director’s of the North American Zone of FESTAC 77, the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, which took place in Lagos, Nigeria.