The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has hosted American professional basketball player Jaylen Brown at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where the NBA star was given a traditional Yoruba ancestral name, Babatunde.
Brown, who played for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association but now plays for Philadelphia 76ers, visited the ancient palace on Monday evening and was warmly received by the monarch, traditional rulers and other palace officials.
During the visit, the Ooni formally bestowed the name on the basketball star, explaining that Babatunde carries a deep cultural and ancestral meaning in Yoruba tradition.
SEE PHOTOS BELOW:
The name is commonly interpreted as “the father has returned” or “the ancestor has returned”.
ALSO READ: Mr Real Raises Alarm Over Poco Lee’s UK Legal Battle
The monarch, in a statement issued by the palace, declared: “This is to certify that you have been issued Babatunde as your traditional and ancestral name. Babatunde means the return of our ancestor.
” Henceforth, you shall be known as Babatunde Jaylen Brown. I am confident that this name will bring you many more fortunes.”
The Ooni also used the occasion to speak extensively about Ile-Ife, which is widely regarded as the ancestral and spiritual centre of the Yoruba people.
He emphasised the importance of African descendants in the diaspora reconnecting with their roots and learning more about their history and cultural heritage.
According to the monarch, centuries of slavery and forced migration separated many Africans from their ancestral homes, families and traditions.
He said visits such as Brown’s could help people of African descent establish a deeper connection with their origins.
The Ooni told the NBA star that, despite the distance created by history and migration, Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora remain connected by a shared ancestral heritage.
The Ooni said: “You are connected to a common ancestral heritage. We celebrate the rainbow as a unified colour created by God in the sky. It represents unity and the connection among humanity.”
Speaking further, Oba Ogunwusi highlighted the historical importance of the Ile-Ife monarchy and its ability to preserve generations of ancestral history.
He therefore noted that the royal lineage could be traced across several generations, describing this continuity as an important part of the cultural identity of the ancient kingdom.
He also encouraged people of African descent across the world to visit Ile-Ife and other historic locations connected to their ancestry, saying such experiences could help them better understand their identity and heritage.
However, Brown on his part, expressed gratitude to the Ooni for receiving him and his delegation.
The basketball star described the visit as a meaningful experience and encouraged others to make an effort to learn more about where they come from.
Brown said: “Thank you for hosting us. Thank you for having us. Thank you for your hospitality. I encourage everyone to go home and pay a visit to their roots.”
