Oyotunji Village
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By continuing north of the Sheldon Church a short ways, the more adventurous can find a quirky Lowcountry attraction, Oyotunji Village (56 Bryant Ln., 843/846-8900, hours vary). Built in 1970 by self-proclaimed “King” Ofuntola Oseijeman Adelabu Adefunmi I, a former used car dealer with an interesting past, Oyotunji claims to be North America’s only authentic African village, with 5–10 families residing on its 30 acres.
It also claims to be a separate kingdom and not a part of the United States—though I’m sure the State Department begs to differ.
With a mission to preserve the religious and cultural aspects of the Yoruba Orisa culture of West Africa, each spring the village hosts an annual Warrior’s Festival, celebrating traditional male rites of passage. Truth is, there’s not much to see here but a few poorly built “monuments.” But connoisseurs of roadside Americana will be pleased.
© Jim Morekis from Moon South Carolina, 4th Edition
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