Oyotunji is the only Yoruba kingdom located in the United States of America. In this interview with OYOINSIGHT.COM, Olori Olamiji Pearse, takes us through the historical linkage between the kingdom and Oyo Alaafin, and the relationship that exists between the kingdom and contemporary traditional institutions in Yorubaland.
Kindly introduce yourself
I am Olori Olamiji Pearse, wife of the late Oloyotunji of Oyotunji kingdom. I am mother to the Crown Prince of Oyotunji kingdom. I am also an Arugba Sango from the palace in Oyotunji, Sango temple.
Can you trace the historical origin of Oyotunji and its place in the contemporary world?
Oyotunji was founded by African Americans who reclaimed their cultural identity during the 50s and 60s fair in America. Oyotunji’s official founding was in the year 1970 and the founders are Oba Osejiman Adefunmi Oloyotunji I and Iyalode Osunbunmi Olafemi who we affectionately refer to as our Obabirin. Oyotunji kingdom is located in South Carolina, USA. It is the only Yoruba kingdom outside of yorubaland.
The Kingdom is responsible for the Yoruba people of the Western Hemisphere. That is the landmass that it governs. However, the actual palace and village is in South Carolina. It’s about 15, 16 acres in the countryside where villages are typically found. It is a complete settlement and yoruba town that was developed from the bush.
What is the relationship between Oyotunji and Oyo Kingdom?
In order to explain the relationship between Oyotunji and the Alaafin, we must look at the ancient Odu Ifa known as Irete Osa. This ancient Odu recounts the miraculous birth of the first Alafin of Oyo, a royal being whose essence was divinely split in two— both of whom chose to travel, destined to cross the waters and reestablish the royal and spiritual lineage in a foreign land. According to the wisdom of Ifa, once both fulfilled the commands of the Oloyo, the time came for them both to begin a new kingdom together; thus was the seed of Oyotunji planted by two founders including HRH Oba Osejiman Adefunmi Oloyotunji I and HRG Iyalode Osunbunmi Olafemi.
Thus, the verses within the Irete Osa holy odu reveal not only a shared origin but a destined parallel: Oyotunji is not a creation of cultural convenience, but the manifestation of a prophecy—a spiritual child of Oyo, established by the odu’s spiritual twins, who according to the Odu served as the very first Alaafin of Oyo — all to continue the divine mission of the Oyo Empire across the Atlantic Ocean.
So the truth about Oyotunji is that it is divinely prophesied and it has now come into being. It’s over 50 years old now. There were two founders of that kingdom and the link between Oyotunji and Oyo is evident in the name. It’s not a coincidence that the founders chose that name and the relationship then explains it that Oyotunji came out of Oyo, established by the spiritual twins of the odu, which according to the odu were the first Alaafins of Oyo.
I love our culture because it’s very simple if you pay attention to the ancient teachings and Ifa of all kingships. Every kingship has its story that can be traced to Ifa that then can trace it to an ancient child of Oduduwa. Oyotunji is no different. The Alaafin, by the story of the odu, is the rightful royal father of the Oyotunji. In the past the Ooni of Ife has been there to support the spiritual destiny of the kingdom.
There’s a recent controversy regarding the role of the Alaafin and Ooni regarding Oyotunji, can you clear the air on this?
There is no conflict between the two. It is unfortunate that people are putting one against the other, but in truth, there is no fight over Oyotunji. In the past, the late Ooni Sijuwade gave a staff of office to our first king ten years after he was already crowned king by his own people. There was no crown given to the Oyotunji. Oyotunji is its own kingdom. It has its own crown, but you do have the support of other kingdoms that have supported the spiritual destiny of Oyotunji and that’s how it has happened in the past.
HIM Kabiyesi Alaafin of Oyo Oba Adeyemi III and HRM Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi Oloyotunji II during Oloyotunji’s first visit to the Oyo Empire Palace 2017
There is no competition or rivalry between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife regarding Oyotunji. The Ooni’s involvement in Oyotunji has historically stemmed from requests made directly to him, particularly during times of dispute among Yoruba “diaspora” Obas and palace conflict. In such instances, leaders from within the palace have written to the Ooni, prompting him to send delegations including the Obalufe, Oba Salu, Oba Oramniyan and the Araba Agbaye. These interventions, while respected, do not indicate foundational authority but rather assistance in peacekeeping among Yoruba brethren.
What does the relationship between the Oyotunji kingdom and the Alaafin and Ooni look like today?
They both play the role of supporting the kingdom in its divine alignment. And so the Ooni of Ife acknowledges and steps in when called. Recently, he sent a delegation to Oyotunji and that’s because he was called. As we know, we just saw the ascension of the new Alaafin to the ancient throne of Oyo empire and there was a formal delegation there from Oyotunji. There was also a request from the local organizing committee that planned the coronation to invite the Oyotunji Kingdom Princes. So there are royal relationships happening, even as we speak, as it relates to the future of the Alaafin and Oyotunji’s relationship.
I believe that it will continue in accordance with its destiny. And only Ifa can define what that destiny is. So we look forward to the Alaafin supporting Oyotunji kingdom and its Kingship.
