Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been formally welcomed into Yoruba cultural heritage after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, bestowed the traditional name “Babatunde” on the NBA player during a visit to his palace in Ile-Ife on Monday.
The name, which means “the father has returned” or “ancestor has returned”, was presented by the Ooni as a symbol of Brown’s ancestral connection to the Yoruba people.
“Henceforth, you shall be known as Babatunde Jaylen Brown,” Ogunwusi declared, formally conferring the name on the American basketball star.
The traditional ruler said the naming was more than a ceremonial gesture, describing Babatunde as Brown’s ancestral identity and a link to the heritage of his forebears.
Brown was received at the palace by the Ooni, who was accompanied by other traditional rulers and palace officials during the visit.
For Ogunwusi, Brown’s presence in Ile-Ife also offered an opportunity to draw attention to the historical ties between Africans on the continent and communities in the diaspora.
He noted that slavery and forced migration had separated families and communities that shared common ancestral origins, making the preservation and rediscovery of African heritage particularly important.
The Ooni encouraged people of African descent living outside the continent to visit places associated with their ancestry, saying such journeys could provide a deeper understanding of their history, identity and culture.
He described Ile-Ife as the centre of Yoruba civilisation and a repository of generations of royal lineage, cultural traditions and ancestral history.
According to him, reconnecting with these traditions could strengthen appreciation of African heritage among people across the diaspora.
The monarch expressed confidence that Brown’s new ancestral name would bring him good fortune while deepening his relationship with his Yoruba roots.
The visit also gave Brown an opportunity to learn more about the history and traditions preserved in the ancient city.
Responding to the Ooni’s gesture, the NBA star expressed appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality he received at the palace.
Brown said the experience had allowed him to gain a better understanding of his heritage and encouraged others to make similar journeys to places connected to their ancestral origins.
The basketball star’s visit adds another high-profile connection between Ile-Ife and the African diaspora, while the Ooni continues to promote the ancient city as an important destination for people seeking to explore their African ancestry and cultural identity.
