On your way to Beaufort, Hilton Head or Savannah stop by the African Oyotunji African Village , just minutes from I-95 exit 33, right off Hwy 17S near Sheldon. For $10 admission ($5 for children over 5) you get a personal guided tour of the village, an authentic Yoruba settlement following old traditions of Nigeria and West Africa.

In the 1970s Oba Oseijeman Adefunmi I and his followers left the “urban temples of N.Y., Chicago and Indiana to the swamps of the South Carolina Lowcountry to build the Kingdom of Oyotunji” and reclaim ancestral Yoruba custom and traditions. Forty years later, North America’s oldest, authentic African village still stands.

The village residents live in a group of simple structures, wear colorful West Africa garments and provide spiritual counseling and religious training for individuals. There are monthly public festivals (see calendar of events below) held at the village, so you can stop by almost any weekend for a one of a kind family experience!

My favorite was learning about Yemoja Deity, the Mother and protector of all things leaving above the sea. Our guide told us an old saying: “inside every woman is a bird, you should try to keep your feathers clean”.

2009 Festival Schedule (Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. For tours and more information call (843) 846-8900 or visit the website www.oyotunjiafricanvillage.org)

Yemoja Festival, June 26 – 28
Pageants and fertility dances for the Great Mother Deity of the Yoruba. Celebration of Rites of Passage for women. We were told men too play an active role in the festival. They put on special costumes including colorful masks, feathers around the waist and even wear fake breasts to become and feel like a woman for a day!

IFA Festival and Yoruba National Convention, July 3-5
Mythical festival of dances and recitations to the Deity of Destiny. Mass gathering of Yoruba.

Shongo Festival, July 24-26
Veneration of the brilliant 8th century Alaafin of ancient Oyo who became Deity of Thunder and Lightning.

Obatala Festival, August 21-23
Stately dances and plays celebrating the Patron Deity of the Yoruba Village.

King’s Day, October 2-4
Grand series of elaborate processions and banquets honoring the birthday of the King.

Oya Festival, October 23-25
Autumnal celebration venerating the fierce royal Deity of Death, Storms and the River Niger

Obaluaiye Festival, December 21-31
Masquerades, archers, mischief and dances for the Winter Solstice and the rule of Taskmaster Deity.

If you happen to be in Charlotte, NC make sure to visit the exquisite Mint Museum of Arts now featuring an extensive collection of West African artifacts, sculptures, decorations and clothing from the Yoruba, Ashanti, Dakakari and Senoufo tribes.

More fun things to do with kids in the area

• Get inspired on the holy grounds of the Old Sheldon Church, still standing despite being burned twice during Revolutionary and Civil Wars. This is a also very popular site for wedding ceremonies.

• Visit historic and artistic Beaufort, home to the Waterfront playground with the most spectacular vistas in the Lowcountry

• Stop in Walterboro to see the SC Artisans Center, pay tribute to the “Red Tail Angels” at the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial and to relax at the Great Swamp Sanctuary. Inside this pristine estuary preserve you can watch a variety of birds, hike on miles of boardwalks, bike, canoe and even traverse the Old Wagon Stagecoach Road as did our ancestors hundreds of years ago!)

• Say hello to enormous alligators, funny looking lizards and turtles and dozens of venomous snakes at the one and only Edisto Island Serpentarium ($12.95 adults, $9.95 children 6-12, $5.95 children 4 and 5 years old).

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