Roots and Rooted

Chief Ajamu, of Oyotunji Village has passed away.

(Oct 31, 1940-Dec 10, 2009)

Chief Adenibi Ifamuyiwa S. Ajamu was born October 31, 1940 in Chicago, IL. Throughout the early and middle 1960s Chief Ajamu was the “staff coordinator” of the “Southern Christian Leadership Conference” on the west side of Chicago in the Lawndale area. By the late 1960s he was introduced to Black nationalism and followed this concept until 1968 when he met the late Queen Mother Moore who introduced him to the nation of African Nationalism. Through this association he was led to the late Chief Medahochi Kofi Zannu and it was through this association that he was introduced to the first Oba of Oyotunji, His Royal Highness Oseijeman Adefunmi.

In 1970, Chief Ajamu joined Oba Adefunmi in Beaufort County, South Carolina, to establish the Oyotunji African Village. He was initiated to the Orisa Priesthood in 1972 to the Yoruba Deity Obatala – making him one of the first African-Americans to become a clergy in an indigenous/traditional African “religious” system. Leaving South Carolina, he traveled to Los Angeles, California where he and others established an Orisa Temple and community. In 1989 Chief Ajamu was initiated into the mysteries of Ifa in Oyo Town, Nigeria, on the compound of Ona Ilemole.

Chief went on to hold several positions within the Oyotunji Village lineage, including but not limited to: Chief Olotu and Otun Alagba, Oluwo of the Ifa Society, Ogboni Society Member, Senior Priest and Minister of Foreign Relations for the Village.

Like many of the original members of Oyotunji, Ajamu played a pivotal but often untold role in the spread of indigenous African “religions” among African-Americans and the popularization of African dress, language and cultural values in the Diaspora.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, a brother and two sons.

He is survived by two children, son, Dada of L.A., California, daughter, Lalanii Oduanla, his wife Ayobunmi Sangode of North Carolina, three sisters, Yvonne Washington, Joyce Napue of Las Vegas, NV, Omialadora Ajamu (Olomide Ogunlano) of Gainesville, Fl. and a host of grand and great grand children, nephews, nieces, and close relatives and friends.

Official Funeral Announcement, please visit: Oyotunji African Village. (Updated Link – 12/14/09)

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Galloway Funeral Home

Funeral services are with Galloway Allen Funeral Home, 8881 Coosaw Scenic Dr., Ridgeland, SC , 866 525 0880. Dec. 19, Saturday at 11am-Wake in Oyotunji African Village, Sunday at 10am – Homegoing Celebration at Allen Galloway Funeral Home, off I-95, exit 28.

Cards and Well Wishes:
Iya Omialadora Ajamu
4307 NE 70th Place
Gainesville, FL 32609

EKU ASE HINDE, OLUWA MI !!!

(the family appreciates any monetary donations at this time to help
to help with everything)

Donations to the Family: Make payable to:

OMI AJAMU PRODUCTIONS
MAIL TO: A. AJAMU
P.O. BOX 127
SHELDON,S.C. 29941

Please contact:
Sister: Omialadora Ajamu-352-505-3802, 231-0150.
Niece: Omitowade Ajamu-904-382-3827, 352-264-1261