Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has visited the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, where he was given a traditional Yoruba name to mark his connection to his ancestral roots.
During the visit to Ile-Ife, Osun State, the monarch conferred on Brown the name “Babatunde,” meaning “the father has returned” or “the ancestor has returned.”
Oba Ogunwusi said the name was given to formally link the NBA star with his Yoruba heritage. He declared that Brown would henceforth be known as “Babatunde Jaylen Brown,” and expressed hope that it would bring him good fortune while deepening his ties to Yoruba culture.
The Ooni also used the occasion to call on people of African descent in the diaspora to reconnect with their origins by visiting historic centres such as Ile-Ife, which he described as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation.
Brown expressed appreciation for the reception and said the visit offered him an opportunity to learn more about his heritage.
The meeting adds to a growing number of visits by diaspora figures to Ile-Ife as part of efforts to strengthen cultural ties with Africa.
