KOKODIAGBENE: OUR ROOT OF PROTECTION

Stamped: Communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom is a visual archival project that translates the living identities of our people into the format of postage stamps. Ten communities. Ten symbols. Ten stories that refuse to be erased.

Long before the present generation, when the rivers flowed freely and the mangrove forests stretched across the ancient Gbaramatu landscape, our forefathers found refuge beneath a mighty mangrove tree.

As our ancestors journeyed through creeks and waterways in search of a place to call home, they encountered many challenges. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, they discovered a great mangrove standing firmly in the water. Its roots spread wide and deep, holding the earth together against the tides and storms.

To our forefathers, the tree was more than a part of nature—it was a symbol. They saw in it the values that would define our community: strength, unity, resilience, and protection. Just as the mangrove's roots intertwined beneath the water, they believed our people must remain connected, supporting one another through every season of life.

Inspired by this lesson, they established our beloved community, Kokodiagbene a place where every family is linked by a common heritage and a shared responsibility to protect one another.

Today, the story of the mangrove continues to reflect who we are. Though generations have passed, our roots remain deeply planted in the traditions, culture, and values handed down by our ancestors. Like the mangrove that withstands the fiercest tides, we stand united in the face of challenges, preserving our heritage and securing the future of our people.

Kokodiagbene is more than a community—it is our root, our strength, and our protection.

For inquiries about prints, exhibitions, collaborations, or community partnerships, please get in touch via email at gbaramatukingdomhistory@gmail.com or via WhatsApp +234 913 482 1071