Entrepreneur Olomo's personal genealogical quest led to the establishment of Tribal Tapestry, aiding others in connecting with their African heritage.
A remarkable ancestry search by US-born entrepreneur Olomo has culminated in his formal recognition as a descendant of the Senlu Royal House of Imota in Lagos State, Nigeria. This profound discovery emerged from a years-long personal journey to uncover his family's roots before their American history was documented.
Olomo, who grew up in the United States, embarked on this genealogical quest driven by a deep curiosity about his African ancestors' identities. His research not only uncovered a strong Yoruba lineage but also traced his family history to a specific royal household in Nigeria, providing a tangible link to his heritage.
The significance of this connection was solidified when the Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, issued Olomo a formal letter of attestation. This extraordinary personal discovery also inspired Olomo to establish Tribal Tapestry, a company dedicated to helping others in the African diaspora make similar connections, according to reporting by Punch Nigeria - Sports.
Olomo's Quest for Pre-American Family History
Olomo's initial professional life was centered on entrepreneurship and brand development, where he learned to build companies and systems. However, a more personal question began to weigh heavily on him: "what existed in my family history before America?" Like many African Americans, he could trace generations within the United States, but the historical record often ceased before revealing the specific identities of African ancestors.
He noted that while the history of slavery, segregation, and civil rights in America is well-documented, the chapter preceding these events often remains obscure. Olomo articulated that before an individual appeared in an American record as enslaved, they already possessed an identity, belonged to a family, came from a community, and spoke a language with inherited traditions. Understanding this profoundly shifted his perspective on legacy, moving beyond personal accumulation to what could be recovered and passed forward.
Building Bridges with Tribal Tapestry
Olomo observed that while many ancestry companies could identify general ethnic connections like Yoruba or Igbo, few helped individuals understand the next steps after such a discovery. This realization became the bedrock of Tribal Tapestry. He believes that if an institution doesn't exist to solve a problem, sometimes one must build it, a lesson he applied directly from his entrepreneurial background.
The transatlantic slave trade, Olomo explained, disrupted more than just geography; it fractured family memory. Names, languages, and communities vanished from family histories. He sought to address the historical wall that had made searches for African American identity more challenging, questioning why descendants of enslaved Africans should accept less specificity than Americans of European ancestry, who often know specific towns and family names.
Modern tools like DNA testing, genealogical databases, and oral histories preserved in African communities now offer unprecedented opportunities to piece together these fragmented stories. Olomo emphasized that "Curiosity may have started it, but restoration became the deeper motivation."
Formal Recognition in Lagos State
Olomo's intensive research confirmed a strong Yoruba ancestry. However, he pressed further, moving beyond a general ethnic identification. This deeper genealogical work ultimately guided him to the Senlu Royal House of Imota, located in Lagos State, Nigeria. This was a significant advancement, moving from a broad connection to a named lineage within a specific community.
What made the discovery particularly impactful was its validation by the community itself. Olomo presented his family history in Imota, where the lineage was reviewed and considered. This culminated in His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, issuing a formal letter of attestation. This letter officially recognized Olomo's descent from the Senlu Royal House, a moment Olomo described as profound.
He underscored the vast difference between a commercial DNA result indicating Yoruba ancestry and tracing a family line to a named royal house with formal recognition from its traditional authority. Olomo strongly advocates that ancestry research requires both evidence and responsibility, integrating DNA findings with genealogy, family history, and community memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Olomo?
Olomo is a US-born entrepreneur and founder of Tribal Tapestry, who gained recognition for tracing his ancestry back to the Senlu Royal House of Imota in Lagos State, Nigeria.
What is the Senlu Royal House of Imota?
The Senlu Royal House is a named royal lineage located in Imota, Lagos State, Nigeria, from which Olomo has been formally recognized as a descendant by the traditional authority, the Ranodu of Imota.
What is Tribal Tapestry?
Tribal Tapestry is a company founded by Olomo, inspired by his personal ancestry journey. Its mission is to help people within the African diaspora connect with their specific African heritage beyond general ethnic identifications.
How was Olomo's royal lineage formally recognized?
After extensive genealogical research linked Olomo to the Senlu Royal House of Imota, his findings were presented to the community. Subsequently, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, issued a formal letter of attestation acknowledging Olomo's descent.