As guardian of a tradition that breathes life into the land, a Nigerian weaver engages in a timeless dance with her reeds.

WORDS, IMAGES, AND VIDEO Ode Dixon

Stewardship in Smiles: Paddling toward resilience on the Badagry Creek. Deborah Avoseh, affectionally known as Iya David (left), Ode Dixon (right), and Deborah’s son David (back). Watch Iya David select, harvest, and weave reeds into beautiful mats in Reeds of Harmony. Video: Ode Dixon

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In the heart of Iworo, Badagry, Nigeria, where the sun kisses the Badagry Creek each morning, there lives a woman named Deborah Avoseh, affectionately known as Iya David (Mama David). She’s not your typical artist. No canvases, no paintbrushes. Instead, her artistry is woven into the very fabric of her surroundings, in a dance with the reeds along the creek.

This is not just about making mats; it’s a tale of stewardship, a story passed down through generations. It’s the kind of tale that starts at dawn, with the creek still wrapped in the quiet embrace of the night. As the first rays paint the sky, Iya David is already at the water’s edge, the guardian of a tradition that breathes life into the land.

The reeds surrender to a higher purpose, each strand weaving a narrative that speaks of community, culture, and connection.

In the first phase of this rustic symphony, Harvesting Harmony, you meet Iya David, who carefully selects reeds with an ancient wisdom that whispers through her aging yet strong fingertips. It’s a delicate ijó [“dance” in Yoruba] — one that harmonizes her needs with nature’s rhythm. The sun rises, the creek mirrors the sky, and Iya David becomes part of a timeless dance, where each step is a promise to preserve the land she calls home.

Nature’s generosity knows no bounds, and Iya David, with a respectful nod to the environment, plucks only what she needs. In her hands, harvesting becomes a conversation, a whispered pact between the steward and the earth. It’s not just about reeds; it’s a dialogue that echoes through the seasons, a melody composed by the Badagry Creek itself.

As the harvesting dance concludes, we move to the drying phase — a sunlit symphony. Nature takes center stage as reeds, bathed in the warm embrace of sunlight, transform. It’s not just a practical step; it’s a celebration. The reeds and their caretaker, Iya David, now a canvas of reflections, participate in this natural alchemy, turning reeds into a palette of earthy hues.

The drying reeds become a testament to patience, a lesson in allowing time to shape beauty. Iya David understands this rhythm, and as the reeds rest under the sun’s gentle gaze, they become more than just materials. They become a reflection of the very landscape that cradles Badagry — a living, breathing testament to the harmony she seeks to create.

Iya David becomes part of a timeless dance, where each step is a promise to preserve the land she calls home.

Enter the third stage: the weaving phase, where Iya David’s hands become the loom for dreams. It’s a delicate, intricate process — a conversation between artist and material. In her hands, the reeds surrender to a higher purpose, each strand weaving a narrative that speaks of community, culture, and connection.

Iya David’s hands move with a rhythm that transcends the physical act of weaving. It’s a dance, a celebration of tradition, a revival of heritage. As the reeds intertwine, they become threads stitching together a story that transcends generations. The completed mats are not mere objects; they are vessels of time, carrying the essence of Badagry’s spirit.

The final photos capture Iya David’s legacy, a story unfolded in the completed mats that grace her home and the homes of others. Each mat is a piece of Badagry, a fragment of the creek’s melody frozen in time. It’s a legacy woven with threads of stewardship, creativity, and a profound connection to the land.

In every completed mat, there’s a whisper of the Badagry Creek, a nod to the dance of stewardship that Iya David continues, a testament to the resilience and beauty of a community deeply intertwined with its environment.

Water’s Arrival: Iya David gracefully arrives on her local canoe, a symbol of her unity with Badagry Creek.

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Creek’s Embrace: Badagry Creek, cradled by the reeds, becomes the sanctuary where nature and tradition harmonize.

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Harvesting Harmony

Harvesting Harmony: Iya David carefully selects reeds, embodying a tradition of sustainable stewardship.

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In Harmony with Nature: Iya David, surrounded by the tranquility of Badagry Creek, selects reeds with practiced precision.

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Guardian of the Reeds: Iya David’s hands delicately gather reeds, ensuring minimal impact on the vibrant ecosystem.

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Drying: Sunlit Symphony

Sunlit Symphony: Reeds bask in the warmth, drying naturally under the Nigerian sun, a crucial step in the mat-making process.

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Nature’s Canvas: The Badagry landscape becomes a backdrop for the reeds as they air-dry, embracing the essence of the environment.

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A Dance of Time: Iya David’s reeds patiently await their transformation, mirroring the rhythm of seasons along Badagry Creek.

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Weaving

Crafting Connections: Iya David starts the meticulous process of weaving, translating nature’s bounty into intricate patterns.

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Threads of Tradition: Iya David’s skilled hands bring forth the beauty of Badagry, intertwining reeds into timeless creations.

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Weaving Dreams: The reeds come alive in Iya David’s hands, telling stories of community and interconnectedness.

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Crafted Masterpieces

Legacy Unfolded: Completed reed mats, a testament to Iya David’s commitment to sustainability and artistic expression.

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Home’s Embrace: Iya David’s mats bring warmth to homes, each strand holding a piece of the land’s enduring spirit.

In every completed mat, there’s a testament to the resilience and beauty of a community deeply intertwined with its environment.

Harmony in Hand: Ode Dixon (left) and Iya David (right) embrace tradition and sustainability on Iya David’s reed farm. Photo: Julius Dixon

Support the Cause: Donate to help Iya David steward her reed farm and create a platform to exhibit her beautiful creations to the world.

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Ode Dixon, a socialpreneur, published author, dancer, and boater, returned to Nigeria after twenty years in America to explore the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on Indigenous communities off and on the Atlantic coast. She works with artisans addressing equity issues. She is currently pursuing her MBA in entrepreneurship with a focus on social enterprise.