About Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II

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HRM Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II Inspiring Action and Creating Ideas Empowering people thru the practical application of Yoruba traditions. HRM Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II began his destiny on earth December 21, 1976. Born the 14th child of 22 children to His Royal Highness Oba Efuntola Adefunmi I, and the third child of five born to Iya Esu Ogo Oyewole. The King Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II was raised in the Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village and began drumming at the age of seven. An extraordinary listener and attentive history student, the young King, under the teachings of H.R.H. Adefunmi I, was entrenched in the traditions and culture of his ancestors; the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria and Benin. He was rooted in the traditional lifestyle of Oyotunji African Village settlement in North America. King Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II witnessed thousands of Africans in America that came to his father’s Kingdom in search of broadening their cultural awareness. By the time of his graduation from the Yoruba Royal Academy, King Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II was an initiate of several sacred Egbes (African societies) to name a few: Egbe Egungun, Egbe Obatala, Egbe Onilu ayan, Egbe Akinkonju. Not the least of which would be the Prince’s entrance into Igbodu, the society of the Fathers of Mystery in the worship of Orunmila. Traveling throughout the United States and the Caribbean in the entourage of his Father, King Adejuyigbe reflects: “It was an amazing opportunity to observe my Baba, the Alase of Oyotunji, in all the commands and demands of being a King. I also observed, through his service to Africans in America and the undertaking of spiritual responsibilities to the tribal family within the village, the toll it took on him.” As a young man, King Adejuyigbe followed his first love of drumming into many performances nationally and internationally. The development of a wide diversity of entrepreneurial skills as well as years of hard work and training in carpentry and administration on Dopkwe ,( Oyotunji construction crew) the state work force gave birth to the “Royal Tribe Stucco Design” company. In 2001, King Adejuyigbe moved to Key West, Fla. as an artist in residency at the Lofton B. Sands African Bahamian Museum. The purpose of this residency was to design and construct the African Exhibit of the museum along with one elder and many of his peers from Oyotunji, King Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II made many valuable contributions to the education and cultural expansion of the African American population in Key West. The King also gave daily lectures and class to students from the Monroe County, Fla. schools. King Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II became the Oloyotunji or King of Oyotunji on July 3, 2005 thus continuing a legacy of Yoruba Kings in America that has been confirmed and supported by the Ooni of Ile-Ife (the King of the holy city of Ife). Thousands of Yoruba Americans came to celebrate the Royal Coronation. Following the Royal Coronation, HRM traveled to The Holy city of Ile-Ife and was crowned by the Ooni of Ife just as his father did on Nov. 16, 1981. HRM was also invited to Ophia Ketou, Republic of Benin for extensive ceremonies of installation. H.R.M. Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II has a wife, two sons and two daughters. Many are the gifts and talents this young King brings to the throne of Oyotunji African Village. When asked what His Majesty looks forward to the most, following in the footsteps of his Father, he says “the passion of my heart at this point in my journey is twofold, to fulfill my Baba’s vision for the Kingdom of Oyotunji in its ultimate beauty and to pass to the next generations our customs, traditions and cultural lifestyle/skills in a way that serves the betterment of our world and its people”. HRM further aspires to increase to all peoples and cultures of the world the practical value for ancient traditions today! Today Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II continues to "Create Ideas and Inspire Action!" Media Contact: Miji Pearse via miji.pearse@thepremiumworld.com