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To OYAK news. we are the leader in Yoruba community based traditional news. We offer our readers an in depth glimpse into the ever growing world of the Yoruba culture. nation wide the Yoruba Americans are making strides in business, culture, politics, and entertainment. We are the pinnacle of cultural hapenings in and around Oyotunji Kingdom.
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the ancestors walk

Welcome to the African memorial day. This yearly display of tradition offersed those who visited the kingdom a glimpse in to the past. The Egungun are representations of deceased famoly members who return to the earth in the form of a masqurade. The head of all ancestral priest is the Alagbaa or head of the elders. his job is to officiate the parading of over 13 families egungun. the ancestors can be felt in the air, as one visitor expained " it felt like i walked back into Africa and could feel my ancestors presence". Egungun festival (traditionally as it was done in Africa) is held in honor of ones family. Each family hosts a day for their ancestors, inviting all to partake in food and merriment in the name of their ancestors. The 
"oro idile" or history of the family is read before the entire kingdom. In the yoruba tradition the ancestors are the values, traditions, and customs of the Yoruba. Their presence reminds of of the need to preserve the food ways, dress codes, language and social order. African Americans who seek to discover and learn to venerate their ancestors can take part as well. Especially after you take your DNA geneology test Oyotunji kingdom is where to go to learn the depth of the ancestral tradition. we welcome you to take a dive in the ocean of ancestral traditions. 

heavy is the head

HRM Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi takes a medical leave
June 14th HRM Oba Adefunmi traveled to Kennesaw, GA to undergo a possible stent surgery. Doctors at Kenestone hospital have found a slight clotting problem around an existing stent installed nearly 2 years ago.
HRM began to feel discomfort in his left upper region as he traveled in Panama for the Journey of Recnciliation among various kings and queens fromthe diaspora and Africa. His royal majesty has been quoted as saying " overall we feel good and healthy, we have been given a strict diet and will keep to it". As many may or may not know the king is a 24/7 hands on king. His majesty on a daily basis for 17 years has either headed up, built, or master planned many kingdom projects. His majesty is keeps a close eye on projects even managinging them directly. " Its true that I am very much ahands on person, I build many things, however much love we have ofr building the Afican world i must take a few steps back fo rmy health". those who wish to send well wishes can do so by reaching out to the King via social media @oyotunjiafricanvillage or Oyotunji on FB.

Oba Adefunmi arrives in Panama city

Amid other monarchs from around the globe. This historic event dubbed Reconciliation between Mother Africa and her Diaspora brought royalty from Hawaii, Congo, Ethiopia Oyotunji Kingdom and Haiti. The weeks journey was crafted to unify the royal monarchs and chart a way forward. Panama was seen as the perfect place to begin this journey because of its historical significance and as Oba Adefunmi said " it is virgin land with a strong west African connection, it can be seen in the daily life of the people". Panama has long since been a land of creation between nations. the Panama canal is but the greatest of these examples. The King recieved the distinguished visitors award and was given full honors and security befitting his office. Each day saw the monarchs coming together to eat, travel, tour, and dialog about the problems they face in their own respective kingdoms. the monarchs spent the last two days taking part in a reconciliation ceremony at the Parliament of South America including the local indigenous nations and the surviving Congo nation. the last day a large motorcade carring the monarchs arrived in the historical town of Portobelo in the Colon province. HIs majesty Oba ADefunmi recieved special awards and a sacred replica of the traditional Congolese head dress and a sacred drum. In summary his majesty said " the trip to panama opened up bbt another chapter of the growth of unity and social galvinization in the diaspora.

rebuilding the temple

" The winds sounded like a train coming through the house and then boom!! An explosion"
The new year often greets people with a new beginning. That came true for the members of the Yemoja and egbe Moremi. The Kingdom of Oyotunji awakened to the destruction of the sacred Yemoja temole. New years day rung in a 
series of super thunder storms that rolled across the region. High winds of 60 mph or better batter trees and fell a few. The large ancient oak tree that crushed the temple was at least 150 years old. The entire Kingdom rose to the task of cleaning the debris. 
      the Yemoja temple compound is where woman who need assistance are billeted. In todays world women who find themselves in a bind can petition  the Egbe Moremi for assistance. The compound has and continued ( up until the storm) to house and assist women and children who need a lift. To date the Egbe Moremi have held two seperate fundraisers rasing nearly 3,000$ for rebuilding. The society of women are reaching out to those benefastors who can assist with the rebuilding. the rebuilding is estimated to cost 40$ and with the current rate of inflation it may be a long road ahead. You can participate and recieve the blessings of Yemoja by giving to this historicaleffort.