My story begins in Okpara Inland, in Nigeria when i was about 5 years old. My great grandmother had died and one of the things my mother was given as a heirloom from her was a Taoso. Taoso is a clay bowl that was made in Nigeria by my great grandmother, before she died. This item is made from clay that is left out to dry, or put in an oven to be dried and hardened. I chose this item to represent my family journey, because my culture is centered in cooking and my great grandmother used it to make cultural dishes before she passed away. When we were coming to the U.S, the 4 bowls originally given to my mother that were in her luggage broke in 2009. 3 years later when my grandmother came came to live with my family for a while after being kidnapped and held for ransom, she brought 3 with her to give to my mother. The Taoso connects my family with food and the memory of my late great grandmother who used to cook on it. 

– Omamus Oghenerhuohwo

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child