This crown belonged to my great-grandfather. I learned from my grandmother that her father was actually Yoruba royalty. He became king around the 1970s and reigned up until he died in 1997. As a king, he wore attire to emphasize and further highlight his status. In Yoruba, his crown is called an ade ileke ("ade" means "crown", "ileke" means "beads"). It is made up of smaller, colored beads that in Yoruba culture are considered to be oogun (charms) to ward off evil. The beads also have another significance in that they represent continuance from each generation, such as when my grandmother ended up with it as a memento before moving back to the United States due to her teaching job and the political instability going on in Nigeria at the time. To me, this object represents the fascinating history of my family and the rich culture that can be found within it. 

– Akinkayode Odebunmi

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant